I was born and raised in Washington, DC to a police officer and a professional organist and pianist. Law and order were the governing rules in our home. I attended McKinley Technology High School where I was active in the Junior ROTC program. Following graduation, I joined the U.S. Navy where I attained the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (E-5). During that five-year period, I traveled extensively in Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia. I am a Viet Nam War veteran.
Following my military service I attended Merritt Community College, Oakland, California followed by enrolling at the University of California, Berkeley, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. My first accounting position was with a “Big Eight” accounting firm Arthur Andersen and Company, CPAs. Next came working at Safeway Stores, Inc a “fortune 500” company where during an 8-year employment, I worked as a Senior Tax Accountant while earning a master’s degree in taxation from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA.
I have worked in the technology industry most of my career holding four positions as a Tax Manager, three as a Director of Taxation and over eight years as a Tax Consultant in my own firm. I also developed a strong interest in personal financial planning and wealth management. I feel that the blending of the two disciplines is inevitable. In preparation for this change, I completed the certificate in personal financial planning program at U.C. Berkeley.
I have been married for more than three decades. My wife, Trudy, works in cancer research as an Oncology Data Specialist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We have three daughters and five grandchildren.
I have dedicated several years performing community service work. Starting from being a Boy Scout in the early years; to serving over ten years as a volunteer “Big Brother”; by developing affordable housing projects through my church’s organization and as a Housing Commissioner in the City of Pleasanton, CA.
*Not Registered with LPL Financial.
