I've lived in Florida since the age of 11, when my family moved here from South Bend, Indiana. My father was born in Vienna, Austria and my mother in upstate New York. They met in South Bend, Indiana, where I was born. I left Florida to attend Vanderbilt University, graduating in 1969 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation I entered the U.S. Army, serving in Japan and Viet Nam. Following my service tour, I returned to the United States to start a family and continue my education, receiving my MBA in marketing with a minor in finance from Washington University, St. Louis Missouri. I started a career in the paint industry and returned to the Clearwater, Florida area in 1985. My profession brings me into contact with hundreds of small businessmen and women involved in manufacturing. We moved to our current address in Indian Rocks Beach in 1992, where we now live with our two dogs, Spike and Ginger. Our two adult sons are living on their own.

About 20 years ago I became aware that my civic responsibilities included more than coaching my son's soccer team. I drifted from the Republican Party, through the Democrats and ended up in the Greens six years ago. Along the way I became a pacifist. My experiences in Viet Nam taught me to doubt the government, and my contact with the peace movement during the war against Nicaragua confirmed my beliefs. I became a member of Veterans for Peace during this time, and continued to have strong beliefs about what real national defense is about.

Closer to home, I was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board and the Beautification Board for the city of Indian Rocks Beach and I spent time as a Big Brother.

During the 2000 election cycle, I served as the treasurer of the Pinellas County Nader campaign and I continue to be involved in the local chapter of the Green Party. Now I'm running for the Florida State House, District 54.