I don't believe in asking big-wig out-of-touch politicos and special interest groups for endorsements. The only endorsement I care about is from you- WE THE PEOPLE. Here's my story and timeline:
My grandparents were of "the greatest generation" and taught me the value of hard work. They were award-winning equine breeders and farmers in Norco. My other grandparents retired as successful small business owners in Riverside. My mother and father continued on with these inland empire based family traditions and taught me the value of persistence and perseverance.
I served in Riverside's Youth in Government Day and was elected to shadow Riverside City Councilman Bob Bowers for a day. When I walked out of the City Council chambers that day I knew my career would be in public service. Reading the Press-Enterprise columns of Tom Patterson and Dan Bernstein was also a highlight growing up in Riverside. And watching people like Edna Lockhart, Diane Elton and Lisa Conyers represent Riverside as a member of Riverside's Sister Cities International Program I also knew I would pursue a career in diplomacy and foreign relations. I graduated from Poly High School and UCR and teachers like Dr. David Pion-Berlin planted seeds of academic learning and scholarly rigor which would grow. I attended the London School of Economics and took my lessons from Nobel prize winners and world leaders. I returned home and finished a Master's Degree in International Relations from the University of San Diego and was elected President of the Graduate Student Association.
After helping my family open additional businesses in Moreno Valley and Orange County I returned to post-graduate work at UCR on a full fellowship. I was a teaching assistant for Riverside Mayor Dr. Ron Loveridge. I taught discussion sections in Political Science and served as the assistant to an Editor of the American Political Science Review Journal. I also served in an internship with the United States Department of Commerce Foreign and Commercial Service and played a role in developing a national award winning rural export initiative in Washington DC which supported American export competitiveness under the guidance of Inland Empire US Department of Commerce stalwart Fred Latuperissa. I was also able to serve the Southern California District Export Council ex-officio.
I was offered a job I could not refuse through Republican Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky and I became the Director of Policy and Planning for a newly formed, and nationally formative, Center for Rural Development. During this time the Center assisted the poorest populations of Appalachia. We won national awards for bringing internet service, public works and job creation efforts so that no young person would have to leave home to find their future. After being chosen by Kentucky's print and news media as one of 40 future leaders I went on to serve under Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture and lead the design and creation efforts for the state's logo and branding program, international trade division and federal legislative outreach efforts. I ran for and was elected to local office as well as became Kentucky's first Hispanic candidate for state office. I was appointed by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher to a seat on the state's prestigious Judicial Nominating Commission and was also tasked with developing Kentucky's fossil fuel and renewable energy plan. As a result I formed my own consulting company and worked directly on legislative issues nationally and internationally for many fortune 500 companies, educational institutions and state governments. I also organized several diplomatic missions overseas to Japan, Cuba, Russia, China and Mexico.
Just as the world was overcome by pandemic I came home to assist with the running of the family businesses. We never closed, not even for a day, and we have served the Riverside and Moreno Valley public faithfully throughout this time of turmoil. It was also good to be home and everyday I thanked God for being nearer to In-N-Out burger- almost 20 years away and believe me a Double-Double never tasted so good! I made time to travel internationally and visit and support prayer counseling ministries in Mexico, Asia, and the Middle East. I become involved supporting former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo nationally as well as the California state Republican party. Locally, I have consulted, researched and developed proposals for such important issues as traffic on the 91 corridor, homelessness and international trade. I have also examined ways to develop Congressional foreign policy advancement and lower Inland Empire gas prices in preparation for this Congressional campaign. And maybe the most important thing- I am forever Dodger blue!
Together we can be the change that
WE THE PEOPLE want & need!