I grew up in Riverside, CA, and I am the oldest of three boys. During my sophomore year in High School, I joined the City of Riverside’s Fire Explorer Program, and I knew that was my calling. I attended college during my senior year of High School and continued my career path by becoming a Volunteer Firefighter for Riverside County and becoming a Reserve Firefighter for Los Alamitos FD. In 1996, I was hired as a Firefighter I with CDF, now CAL FIRE San Diego Unit. In 2002, I became a Firefighter II in the Riverside Unit, where I have continued to work through the ranks of Fire Apparatus Engineer and currently hold the rank of Fire Captain.

In 2013, as a FFII, I was charged with AWOL and was wrongfully terminated by the Department. While going through the disciplinary process of the Department, I learned first-hand how the process works. I gained valuable knowledge and experience while seeing every level of the disciplinary process and how it functions. When I was reinstated back to my position after being off work for several months, the experience fueled a passion for getting involved with our Union.

I knew I wasn’t the only one who had been wrongly terminated. Because of the representation and support I received from the Union, I wanted to get involved, and I have been committed to working just as hard to make a difference for someone else.
My family is the foundation of all that is great in my life. I am blessed to have their full support in my new role. I am thankful to them and look forward to doing the best I can for my CAL FIRE brothers and sisters.