Growing up in a family as the youngest of four boys born in the late '50s to parents who experienced the depression, I learned a lot about goals. We didn't have an abundance of "things," but I had an abundant life. In the early years, the family would go on weekends where we could ski; however, I had to pay my way, earn the lift ticket money and buy my equipment. I worked hard, did chores and at 10 years of age, had a paper route, did odd jobs in the neighborhood and learned a little about "saving" so that I could have things that I wanted that otherwise my parents couldn't provide. The pride of setting various goals, working toward them and accomplishing them on my own was etched in my ethics early in life.

In my early years, I participated in many youth activities, served as an acolyte, played sports and served others through scouting, 4H and other organizations and activities. These lessons have been instilled in me forever. After graduating from Sonoma State in 1980, I married my wife, Holly, and a few years later, we had two beautiful children, both who were raised in Sonoma and then on through their college degrees. Through my own life experience, I know what it's like to set goals for savings, education, retirement, housing, insurance and caring for elderly parents. I can proudly say that I have enjoyed an abundant life, not because of what I have, but because of the partnering I have had with family and friends and accomplishing many life and financial goals that we set forth together.

Sonoma has been home for almost 45 years and I am proud to be in the Rotary Club and to serve as the Chairman of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce.

I am gratified for the many years of service that I have had following my Dad into banking, being a bank executive, mortgage executive and today, assisting others to learn what is important to them, partnering with them to set goals, and assisting them using Edward Jones established processes to help them stay on course.