Why Am I Doing This?
I am running for both State House Representative, District 35, and also Sumner County Commissioner, District 22 because democracy starts with a choice. If you can only vote for the incumbents, then you have no choice.
I'm also very concerned for the regressive direction our State GOP Legislators are taking us. This year they are trying to pass several bills that seem to be solely based on hate, bigotry, homophobia, and religion. We need to move forward to a better future.
Please visit the Search Legislation and Track Bills page of the State's website to read the proposed bills.
My Background
I was born in the California Bay Area and raised in San Jose long before it became Silicon Valley. I am an Air Force veteran — I signed up while I was in high school and joined active duty soon after graduating. I was fortunate to serve during peacetime. After my enlistment ended I went to work for Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, where I worked until 1996.
After the Berlin Wall came down so did the defense contract orders, and I was one of thousands laid off. I switched careers to graphic design, working in the Digital Art Prepress Department of a CD manufacturer for the next five years.
My family and I moved to Middle Tennessee in 2002. We've lived in Sumner County ever since — I have lived in District 35 since early 2019. I used my lifelong experience in theater design to work for a Nashville Event Planning Company, leading their scene shop for 18 years until the pandemic. There I helped design and build many corporate events, and was instrumental in creating the giant guitars outside of The Grand Ole Opry. I now work in commercial construction for a finish-carpentry company, primarily on remodeling BNA.
All my adult life I have done technical theater as a living or a hobby — professionally for places like San Jose Civic Light Opera, Bus Barn Theater, and even the first season of ABC's Nashville TV show. For the last few years I've been designing sets for Hendersonville Performing Arts Company (HPAC).
Ten years after moving to Tennessee, I lost my wife due to chronic health issues. Since then, it has been me and my son.
Dyslexia? What, Me?
As a kid I was always a slow reader. My comprehension was high but it always took me longer to finish — and it still does.
"I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested." — Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory
I was pulled out of class in 4th grade and "tested" in the equipment closet for three days. It scared the crap out of me. Nothing really came of it — that I was told of, anyway.
A few years ago I was listening to a podcast where one of the hosts was describing his battle with dyslexia — and describing the exact techniques I had used my whole life to read, like looking at the beginning and end of long words and filling in the middle. I took an online test. It said "If your score is over 45 you are likely dyslexic." My score was 65. So at 60 years old, I finally know.
Some of the effects are problems with memorization, spelling, and remembering names. Please be patient if it takes me a few meetings to remember yours.