Public Health Director

• Nov 2020 - Present

Assistant Public Health Director

• Jan 2017 - Nov 2020

Captain and Community Care Grant Project Director

• Apr 2007 - Jan 2017

I spent my 1st three years in Mesa, AZ as a Firefighter, and in 2010, department leadership asked me to write a grant application for funding to build 2 new fire stations. We won that grant and I haven’t looked back since. I moved into program administration and have since been given oversight over the $12.5M Community Care Healthcare Innovation Program. The goal of the program is to positively affect public health, decrease the cost of emergency services, and provide underserved Mesa residents a direct connection to preventative and interventional health care – thus reserving emergency services for true emergencies. To date, the program has:→Saved millions→Provided real-time access to primary and behavioral care – sending healthcare practitioners on 911 calls in place of ambulances→Aimed to decrease readmission rates at a local hospital since program inception through an innovative methodology / coordination of care post-hospital release I have also served as Executive Manager to the City Manager and made contributions to contract negotiations, city research, statistical analysis, and tracking city council meeting minutes. In addition, I also managed the development and rollout of a new program in collaboration with One Tree Learning Institute to address stress related illness (PTSI) within the first responder population. To date, I have trained more than 600 firefighters, police officers, nurses, peer support members, 911 operators, and social workers throughout the states of California, Colorado, and Arizona.

Firefighter-Paramedic

• 2005 - 2007

I provided emergency services as a first responder to fires and medical emergencies. Duties ranged from fire engine and fire equipment maintenance to complex medical diagnostics and medical procedures. While on the job, I also served as Commissioner of the City of Portsmouth Historical Board. I provided emergency services as a first responder to fires and medical emergencies. Duties ranged from fire engine and fire equipment maintenance to complex medical diagnostics and medical procedures. While on the job, I also served as Commissioner of the City of Portsmouth Historical Board.

Assistant to the Mayor

• 2004 - 2005

Working directly with the Mayor as a consultant, I was chosen for the role right after earning my undergraduate degree. I was accountable for responding to public complaints and providing resolution at the lowest possible level – and instead of approaching this in a contentious manner, I built the reputation for positively and effectively de-escalating often highly “charged” situations. My duties included briefing the Mayor, working on special projects, and developing talking points. In addition, I also headed up the “Bench Crime Initiative,” an innovative program which engaged community members, community leaders, local businesses, and community groups to prevent crime by getting Phoenix residents in high crime areas to look out for one another and rally community engagement.

Petty Officer, 2nd Class

• 1993 - 1998

Honorably discharged and served for 5 years on the USS Milius. Honorably discharged and served for 5 years on the USS Milius.