ABOUT ME

I led the Town of Yountville through significant economic success, business development and investments in infrastructure, municipal facilities and arts & recreational programs. While managing impacts related to a national recession, major wildfires, drought, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other challenges, the Town Council adopted balanced budgets and increased reserve funds every year under my three terms as Mayor.

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I was active in the League of California Cities starting in 2005 and served on the Board of Directors from 2016-2022, including a term as President of the statewide local government advocacy organization in 2019-2020. I continue to participate as a Past President. I was a member of the Cal Cities North Bay Division for 18 years, including as Division president in 2011–2012.

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During the public health crisis and economic recovery related to the COVID-19 pandemic, I represented Cal Cities, the County of Napa and the Town of Yountville in strategic recovery operations at the national, state and local levels. I was also a member of the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

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In 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown appointed me to the 25th District Agricultural Association, Napa Exposition and Fair Board of Directors. I served as President from 2016-2021 and continue to be a Director.

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At the local level, I was engaged in numerous regional and county-wide boards and commissions including the Yountville Tourism Improvement District — Local Governing Committee, Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Napa Valley Transportation Authority, Napa County Climate Action Committee, Napa County League of Governments, Napa County Agricultural Protection Advisory Committee, MCE Board of Directors and the Association of Bay Area Governments.

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Since 2010, I have co-organized and co-chaired Napa County’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease in Yountville. I was a Board member of Hands Across the Valley food safety net organization and The Pathway Home nonprofit veteran treatment program.

I retired in 2013 from the University of California, Berkeley, where I worked for 24 years as the Publications Director in the Intercollegiate Athletics Media Relations and Marketing departments. Prior to that, I worked for four years as a news reporter, photographer and editor for the Tahoe Daily Tribune in South Lake Tahoe, CA.

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A native of Oakland, CA, I lived in Yountville for 26 years before moving to Napa in 2023 with my wife, Jeri Hansen, and our dogs, Zoey and Lexi. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985 - majoring in rhetoric - from the University of California, Davis. My favorite activities include podcasting, golf, cycling and wine tasting.