Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Petaluma

Keith Canevaro has packed into his young years more service than most people can claim in a long lifetime. His commitment to service is a reflection of his own family's traditions and history... a history that motivates Keith to take an active leadership role in his community. Keith learned the value of work at an early age. His father proved an excellent example of the benefits that hard labor at work and hard work at home can provide. Working most of his youth as his father's mason assistant, he learned to appreciate the value of intense labor. Watching his father simultaneously serve as a fireman, he learned to appreciate the value of community service. To this day, some of his warmest memories are of reflecting upon his father's desire to help others.

He was fortunate in that he was raised by two parents who understood the importance of service and community. His mother raised four children with the energy and devotion that is reflected in Keith's own family life. Growing up and participating in more than a few family gatherings, helped him recognize the importance of community. Today, he extends that concept of community to the town in which he lives. He helps coordinate the local "Toys 4 Tots" campaign, and coaches youth soccer.

As is often true, a teacher influenced the course that his life would take. A Junior High teacher, Mr. Novak, a three-war veteran and Marine, personified all that Keith was aspiring for himself. Mr. Novak resonated leadership, integrity and a sense of fairness not found in many people. This relationship led Keith to his education at The Citadel and career in the Marine Corps.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Citadel. However, life at military school was not all drills and books. To ensure that he remained in fighting shape and had some diversion from schoolwork, he played NCAA Division I AA football and rugby. By the time he completed his formal education, he was not only an outstanding athlete but an outstanding soldier as well. He graduated as a distinguished naval student in the NROTC program and in the top 10% of his class at Officer's Candidate School.

From 1990 to 1998, he served his country as an active duty Marine. Perhaps his most difficult as well as most rewarding tour of duty was Somalia in 1993. Here he was a part of a multi-national force, serving as a rifle platoon commander and liaison to the Royal Saudi forces. Living among the local population, he and his Marines walked foot patrols on the dividing line between warring factions, guarding the food convoys that fed the starving masses. For his service, he received a combat action ribbon and Navy Achievement Medal.

Upon his completion of his overseas tour, he was reassigned to US Marine Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Here Keith learned the necessity of preparing budgets and meeting financial commitments. He was charged with overseeing a 10 million dollar budget for an incentives program and the job placement of 35,000 annual recruits. He worked with members of congressional staff and the Undersecretary of the Navy, as well as the Commandant of the Marine Corps on streamlining enlistment, training and delivery of recruits to assigned Units.

When his son, Nick, was born in 1996, he opted to leave active duty. He and his wife, Kelly, settled back home...the Bay area. Today, Keith lives in Petaluma with his wife, son, and daughter, Natalie. Wanting to continue in his service to country, Keith remains active in the Marines as a Major in the Reserves. He is currently the Commanding Officer and leader of a 250-person organization that is responsible to support and protect the Operations Cell and Senior Leadership of a 4,000-person organization.

In 1999, Keith joined Cisco Systems as a Program/Product Manager. At Cisco he coordinates and integrates various units organizing and directing them in development and implementation of Optical Telecommunications products.

Throughout his life, Keith reflects on the values of home and the lessons of service he learned in his youth. His passion and intensity comes from his mother; his drive from his father. Collectively his family taught him to be good to others # the golden rule of do unto others.

By his own account, Keith is blessed. He has a wonderful family. He lives in a community that he loves. He now wants to show his appreciation and serve again. Keith's vision of Petaluma is based upon his experiences and his years of service. He is committed to promoting and protecting Petaluma's future and bringing together the varied ideas to make it a community his children will always be proud to call home. He is committed to bringing the City Council together with the common purpose to make Petaluma a better place to live.