About
My Story
My wife Cheryl and I moved to El Dorado Hills seven years ago after a successful 30-year career as an administrator in customer service, strategic planning, and policy in the Bay Area. We fell in love with the rural charm of El Dorado County and its welcoming residents. I believe in the importance of sharing one’s talents and giving back to the community, just as others have helped me along the way.
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I currently serve as a Board member of the nonprofit Children Rescue Mission, and I’m a founding member of the Sacramento chapter of the Barnabas Group. We attend Foothills Church in Cameron Park. I’m also the Vice President of the Blackstone HOA and Vice President of Citizens in Support of El Dorado Hills.
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Chuck King and I led the successful effort to stop Amazon’s Project Frontier. More recently, I sponsored an initiative for the upcoming November election, which, if approved, will prevent the El Dorado Hills CSD from illegally overcharging taxpayers on their assessments. I strongly believe in accountability, honesty, and standing up for what’s right, even when it’s not the popular choice.
Why I'm Running
Buckeye is a strong school district with many dedicated teachers, but like any school district in the state, it faces its share of challenges. Buckeye struggles with its budget each year, and issues like declining enrollment and rising absenteeism only exacerbate this problem. Every time a parent disenrolls their child or a student is absent, the district loses funding. Over the past twelve years, Buckeye’s enrollment has dropped by 13%, and this trend shows no signs of slowing. Additionally, absenteeism has increased in the wake of COVID-19.
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These are serious challenges that demand solutions. Insufficient funding can lead to larger class sizes, fewer opportunities to enhance curricula, and in extreme cases, layoffs and school closures. To improve retention, the district needs to focus on better communication with all stakeholders, addressing parents’ concerns about school safety, and supporting parents’ rights. By targeting communication efforts toward parents, we can enhance student retention, improve attendance, and ultimately secure better funding.
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Teachers also need support in reducing class sizes, increasing the use of teacher aides, and making instructional improvements. My background is in business, not education. Buckeye doesn’t need another educator on its school board; it needs a businessperson who can focus on finding business solutions to resolve these issues. I’m committed to applying my results-driven passion for excellence to Buckeye’s challenges.