EXPERIENCE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Public service requires more than attending meetings and casting votes. It requires asking questions, understanding complex issues, working with people who may have different viewpoints, and making decisions with long-term consequences.
My experience has included public utility governance, business ownership and management, community leadership, veterans service and nonprofit organizations.
I began serving on the Humboldt Community Services District Board in 2014, bringing with me decades of experience in business, community leadership and utility governance.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
Humboldt Community Services District
Elected Director · Board Service Beginning in 2014
Providing leadership on water and wastewater services, budgets and rates, infrastructure, capital improvements, and long-term financial planning.
Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce
Past President.
Led efforts supporting local businesses, economic development, and the broader Humboldt County business community.
Rotary Club of Eureka
Past President, Rotary Club of Eureka; currently a member of the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka.
Provided leadership in advancing Rotary’s community service and philanthropic initiatives.
Toys for Tots
20+ Years of Leadership & Service
Leading the regional Toys for Tots program serving children and families across Humboldt, Trinity and Del Norte counties.
North Coast Honor Flight
Former Co-Chair
Helped provide approximately 400 veterans with the opportunity to visit the national memorials honoring their service in Washington, D.C.
UTILITY GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCE
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative
Before serving on HCSD, I was a co-founder and Charter Chairman of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.
I helped lead the conversion of Kauai's investor-owned electric utility into a member-owned nonprofit cooperative, including an approximately $215 million utility acquisition.
That experience gave me firsthand knowledge of long-term infrastructure planning, financing, rates, reliability and responsible utility governance.
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
I subsequently represented Hawaii on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board of Directors from 2002–2006 and served as Chairman of its International Committee.
I also received professional cooperative-governance training and credentials through NRECA.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
My business career has included publishing, retail, tourism and entrepreneurship.
In Humboldt County, I founded and published 101 Things To Do visitor publications and founded Guest Services Directories.
Earlier business experience included serving as President and Publisher of the Kauai Times, founding Kauai Internet and other businesses, and owning and helping establish businesses in Pennsylvania.
Budgets matter. Decisions have consequences. And ultimately, someone has to pay the bill.
Military & Veterans Service
I served in the United States Marine Corps from 1968–1971, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA-531, the “Grey Ghosts,” working on F-4 Phantom aircraft systems.
My involvement with veterans and the military continued long after leaving active duty and has included the Marine Corps League, North Coast Honor Flight, support for deployed service members, veterans advocacy and decades of involvement with Toys for Tots.
A Broader Perspective
Throughout my life, I have had opportunities to serve at the local, state, national and international levels.
Those experiences have reinforced something I believe strongly:
Good leadership begins with listening, asking questions and remembering that the decisions we make affect real people.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
This page highlights only part of my background.
My complete VIEW EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP & SERVICE includes additional information about my business career, public utility governance, military and national defense involvement, community projects, veterans' service, professional credentials, and honors and recognition.