Candidate for
Council Member; City of Irvine

Chuck and Diane moved to Irvine in 1989, a year after getting married. They first lived in the Charter Apartments near the corner of Jamboree and Main Street, then in the Village of Windwood (by Deerfield and Culver), and now in the Village of Northwood.

Jennie, Chuck and Diane's first daughter, was born in Mission Hospital in 1991. Amy arrived in early 1997 at Irvine Medical Center (now Irvine Regional Hospital). Chuck and Diane both know Irvine well.

With a teaching career already established in New York state, Diane began teaching music to Irvine's children in 1989. She taught at Northwood, Brywood, Meadow Park and other schools. Diane has continued her vocation as a volunteer, teaching music to children at Westwood Basics Plus elementary school -- the school where Jennie will be entering 5th grade and Amy will be entering kindergarten this fall. Chuck and Diane are deeply committed to Irvine's schools.

From age 12 to graduation from high school, Chuck helped with the family business, a small auto parts store and machine shop in the Eastern High Sierra. Chuck saw first-hand the importance of making payroll, hard work, and diligence.

Chuck attended college at Cal State Fullerton, working as a union carpenter and a security guard for Rams football games and concerts to pay for school. His Army ROTC scholarship brought him to Claremont McKenna College where he earned his degree, with honors, in 1985.

From 1986 to 1988, he served as a Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs in the Pentagon, working with Members of Congress and their staff. Chuck later worked for Congressman Chris Cox as his Senior Assistant in his Orange County office where he worked with chambers of commerce and community groups to solve problems and improve our quality of life. Chuck's experience with Washington will be valuable to Irvine as El Toro completes its conversion to civilian uses.

After the Gulf War ended and Chuck was released from active duty, he was hired by Steve Myers, president and CEO of SM&A, a leading Orange County aerospace and defense consulting firm. Chuck now is an SM&A vice president responsible for corporate communications and research. His 11 years' experience in the aerospace industry will be valuable in helping Irvine attract and keep a diverse range of employers in the community.

Chuck was appointed by then Irvine Councilman Barry Hammond to serve on the Cultural Affairs Commission in 1991. In 1992, Chuck became a member of the Community Services Commission, where he became vice chairman, then chairman of the commission, helping guide development and maintenance of Irvine's world-class park system, senior center, and other public services. Chuck's service to Irvine taught him how needed public services could be delivered effectively and efficiently, and with high quality.

Since 1983, Chuck has been a member of the military reserve forces. He first enlisted as a Private First Class, then earned his commission in 1985. He is now a Major in the Army National Guard. His uniformed service in defense of the Constitution has taught him to cherish our freedoms.

In 1999, Chuck wrote the technothriller novel CHINA ATTACKS with co-author and noted China expert Steven Mosher. The book was published in English in 2000 and in Chinese in 2001.

The book has gained notoriety in Taiwan where the Chinese language edition sells well in bookstores. In May 2001, the book's publisher invited Chuck to Taipei to participate in a conference on the issues raised in the book. The book is banned in the Peoples Republic of China. Chuck's knowledge of, and interest in, the Pacific Rim is valuable to Irvine's world-class economy and is appreciated by many of Irvine's substantial Asian-American community.