Candidate for
Supervisor; County of San Francisco; District 7

I grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of working-class, Democrat, union-member parents and stepparents. Throughout my early years, I learned the value of hard work, good ethics and sincere responsibility to one's community. As the first member of his family to attend college, I graduated with a degree in urban studies from Macalester College, and subsequently began my lifelong professional commitment to public service.

After spending two years in Washington, D.C. working for a Democratic Congressman and coordinating volunteer activities for the local food bank, I moved to San Francisco's District 7 nearly a decade ago to attend graduate school at the University of San Francisco. I worked full-time at the San Francisco Food Bank and attended classes in the evening at USF to earn my Master's degree in Nonprofit Administration.

Since then, I have devoted my professional life to improving the effectiveness of philanthropic and charitable organizations. I am one of the founders of Philanthropy Associates, an advisory firm whose mission is to improve the effectiveness of philanthropic and charitable organizations. I am a dedicated and experienced leader who has held senior management positions with community-based, national and international nonprofits, including tenures as Executive Director of Hands On San Francisco and Managing Director for The Coral Reef Alliance. I have consulted extensively to foundations and nonprofits on organizational development and effectiveness issues, and am a regular presenter at local and national forums.

In addition to my professional work, I practice what I teach by serving as an active volunteer with local and national organizations. I serve on the board of directors of several organizations, including service as Chairman of Hands On Network, Treasurer for The Ocean Foundation, and founder of The Action Fund.

In addition to my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I am a graduate of the Wharton School's Advanced Management Program, where I was selected as the program's first nonprofit scholar.

I have lived in District 7 for nearly a decade and am committed to improving the neighborhoods. I believe passionately in the power of public service, am a lifelong registered Democrat, and know that San Francisco's greatest days are still ahead.