Candidate for
Council Member; City of Lake Forest

I have worked with the public sector in some capacity for more than ten years, starting my career working as an election results runner for the City of Los Angeles at the age of sixteen. From there, my duties have included budget analysis and administration, supervision, research, contract negotiation and execution, personnel training and development, communication (both oral and written), grassroots campaigning, organizing and team building, and representing my respective Departments before the City Council. The following highlights my local government employment.

Management Analyst II, Department of General Services

In August of 2001, I joined the Department of General Services as a Management Analyst II. In my current assignment, I am employed as the Administrative Section Head for the Department's Security Services Division. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we have implemented more than $3.5 million in security upgrades, working in close cooperation with Orange County security consulting firms. For our efforts, the City of Los Angeles was featured in the August 2002 issue on Access Control and Security Systems, one of the Country's premiere security publications.

Management Analyst, Office of the City Clerk

In November of 2000, I was employed as a Management Analyst assigned to the Fiscal Administration Section of the Office of the City Clerk's Administrative Services Division. As the Budget liaison to the Office of the Mayor, I prepared monthly reconciliation reports for all the Department 46 accounts. I also negotiated, prepared, processed and/or approved various of the fiscal documentations/justifications for the Office of the Mayor, including Authority for Expenditures, Travel Authorities, Appropriations, Journal Vouchers, Cash Receipts (deposits) and Transfers.

As a Management Analyst for the Office of the City Clerk, I administered all of the Trust Fund accounts for the Office of the City Clerk. I was the Contract Compliance Coordinator for the City Clerk. I was also responsible for drafting and executing contracts and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for both the Office of the City Clerk and the Office of the Mayor. This required communication, negotiation and coordination with multiple Departments and outside vendors alike.

Other responsibilities I had as a Management Analyst with the Office of the City Clerk included coordinating the inventories for the Office of the Mayor, the Los Angeles City Council Offices, the Chief Legislative Analyst's Office and the Office of the City Clerk. I also assisted in the supervision of the Administrative Services Division Clerical Pool.

Project Coordinator, Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment

In August of 2000, I was employed as a Project Coordinator for the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE). While employed by the Department, I assisted in drafting the plan to implement a Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils for the City of Los Angeles. Additionally, I was responsible for drafting the charter mandated Early Notification System (ENS). Once implemented, the ENS would allow for improved and more efficient two-way communication between City Hall and the citizens of Los Angeles. As the lead of the ENS team, I routinely met with representatives from almost every City Department. I also prepared reports for and presented analysis and findings to the Los Angeles Board of Neighborhood Commissioners and the Los Angeles City Council's Governmental Efficiency Committee.

As the Project Coordinator assigned to the Valley Region, I oversaw the operations of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment's San Fernando Valley satellite office. I was responsible for designing, coordinating and implementing public outreach strategies for the Department. This required routinely meeting with civic leaders and community based organizations to both exchange ideas and make presentations on behalf of the Department.

Training Coordinator, Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety

In September of 1999, I was employed as the Training Coordinator for the Department of Building and Safety's Training and Emergency Management Division. I was responsible for developing, coordinating and conducting all non-technical training courses for the Department. Some of my course topics included: Supervision Basics, Management and Organizational Theory and The New Charter. Additionally, I successfully reestablished the Department's New Employee Orientation program and drafted a New Employee Orientation manual that is now utilized by the Department.

Account Coordinator, Cerrell Associates Incorporated

From 1997 to 1999, I was employed as an Account Coordinator at Cerrell Associates, a Los Angeles based political affairs firm. As one of the firm's six registered lobbyists and a member of the Local Governmental Affairs Team, I was required to have a thorough knowledge of the responsibilities of the Mayor, Council, Citizen Commissions, City Departments and the City's legislative process. I also maintained a working, cooperative relationship with several elected officials and their staffs.

My responsibilities further required the monitoring of all Los Angeles City Hall activities as they related to the firm's client base, including Los Angeles City Council, Council Committee and citizen commission meetings. I assisted in developing political strategies on behalf of the firm's clients. Furthermore, I actively participated throughout the entire City Charter reform process, working with both the Appointed and the Elected Charter Reform Commissions.

In addition to my work experience, I received my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a minor in Political Science from California State University at Fullerton. My areas of concentration were statistical processes, general management and Los Angeles politics. I was also awarded the Edward Lee Memorial Scholarship in 1993 and was recognized by the President of the United States for my efforts to increase the African-American community's awareness of the Korean culture. In 1994, I was nominated as a member of the inaugural Los Angeles African-American Student Ambassadorship to South Korea.

In summary, both my work experience and educational background have provided me with the skills, leadership abilities, knowledge and personal commitment required as a Councilmember for the City of Lake Forest. I cannot imagine not being a part of public service. I have gained more than experience in all my dealings with the political arena; I have a true commitment to public service.