Candidate for
Council Member; City of Solana Beach

Paul was born in New York City in 1957 and grew up in a small town called Croton on the Hudson, New York where he started his first business at the age of 9 years old cutting lawns, raking leaves and shoveling snow for the homes in his neighborhood. After graduating from the local high school as a 3-letter athlete, he attended North Carolina State University, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. He then attended the University of Virginia where he graduated from the prestigious Darden School of Business with a Masters in Business Administration in 1983 with a concentration in accounting and finance.

Paul moved to southern California in 1986 and worked for a series of small businesses before buying Kirby's Café, a small restaurant in downtown Del Mar serving breakfast and lunch. As Kirby's slowly grew into one of the busiest restaurants along the coast, Paul continued to develop healthy menu items and Kirby's became well known for its great breakfasts made with healthy ingredients and featured its unique "popovers" as well as the many pictures of their famous celebrity customers that hung on the walls.

In 1996, Kirby's was recognized by the Del Mar City Council with the city's first Green Business Award for its recycling and water conservation measures. While he owned Kirby's, Paul served several terms as a Director of the Greater Del Mar Chamber of Commerce, the Del Mar Merchants Association and also served several years as the Chairman of the City of Del Mar Finance Committee. Paul was also the point man for the local business community in the unsuccessful effort in the early 1990s to keep train service in Del Mar.

In 1998, Paul sold Kirby's and became a father for the first time. He, wife Laura, new son Jacob and stepson Justin moved from Del Mar, first to a small subdivision just above Flower Hill mall and then in 2002 to their current home in Solana Beach. In 2000, Paul purchased a half-interest in a small construction/contracting business in San Diego called the Wm. M. Perkins Company where he has been working ever since. His company offices are located in a 100-year old California Craftsman home that he and his partner purchased and restored to its original splendor. Since purchasing the business, Paul and his partner have formed an ESOP and have given their employees a 20% ownership interest.

Paul's wife Laura has been very active in the community as a long-time volunteer with the Solana Beach Schools Foundation For Learning where she helped the Foundation raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for our local schools as the coordinator of the Silent Auction for the successful annual Beach Ball fundraiser for many years.

Paul has been very active in the community as a volunteer at the Beach Ball with wife Laura as well as his involvement in the Solana Beach Little League where he was a long-time volunteer coach and Director. From 2008-2011, Paul was the coordinator of the five Solana Beach Little League fields at Solana Vista, Skyline and CDC, where he tirelessly worked to maintain and improve the fields on a year-round basis.

Paul believes his experience in running successful small businesses over the past 25 years and his strong background in finance and accounting will serve Solana Beach residents well when he is elected to the City Council. He will work hard to maintain our City's charm and character, and will bring a sense of balance to the east-side versus west-side discussions, as well as the much needed perspective of an entrepreneur on issues that involve our business community.