FAMILY
My family immigrated to the United States in 1963, when I was 2 years old. Growing up, our family lived in the LA area in places such as El Monte, Chinatown, and Montebello. I graduated from Montebello High School (MHS) in 1979 and was the Class Salutatorian. I was your typical “nerd”, interested in the Math and Science Club, and cars. When it was time to attend college, I chose UCLA, majored in Math System Science and graduated in 1984.
After college I started my first engineering job at Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo and Point Mugu - designing the new F-14D (Tomcat) radar. I was awarded a Hughes Fellowship which allowed me to earn my Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering remotely from USC while working full-time. Later on in my career, I earned certificates in Tech Management and Systems Engineering from Caltech.
UCLA Graduation Day with Mom and sister
On Feb 21, 1988, I met Annie Han on a blind date. We were set up by mutual friends. We went to see the movie “Good Morning Vietnam” in Westwood…not your typical first-date movie. Despite this rough start, our relationship survived and thrived. As beautiful as Point Mugu is, Annie was not there so I transferred jobs from Hughes to Northrop Grumman in Pico Rivera so I could move back to Montebello and be closer to Annie. We were married five years later at San Marino Community Church and will celebrate 31 years of marriage this year.
At Northrop Grumman, I worked on the B-2 Stealth Bomber radar, Space-Based Infrared System for missile detection, carrier-based laser system and other classified programs. I had the highest level of security clearance from the Government. In 2018 I officially retired, concluding my 33-year career in aerospace engineering.
Palmdale Family Day 2013 in front of B-2 Stealth Bomber
Our daughter, Christine, attended San Marino schools: Carver, Huntington Middle School (HMS), and San Marino High School (SMHS). I received my first volunteer award as Kindergarten Dad from Mrs. Arms at Carver. I also received the Halo Award for volunteerism at HMS. At SMHS, I continued volunteering as Junior Dad Grad Night waiter, all-night security, and most recently at the golf booth. In addition, I was an Executive Board Trustee for the San Marino Schools Foundation. My wife and I donated to the Benefactor Level. Our daughter graduated from USC Marshall School of Business in 2022 and is currently working remotely from home for a San Diego law firm as a Digital Marketing Analyst.
I have volunteered for the city of San Marino for 17 years. In 2008, I was appointed to the then San Marino Traffic Advisory Commission (TAC) for 10 years, ending up as Chair. When the TAC was disbanded in 2018, I was appointed to the San Marino Public Safety Commission (PSC). I am serving my second 4-year term and am currently the Chair of the PSC.
San Marino Public Safety Commission, San Marino Police Chief Incontro, San Marino Fire Chief Rueda, and Director of Public Works Shah
I have also volunteered with the San Marino City Club, currently as its First VP, San Marino Rotary Club, The Tournament of Roses White Suiter, San Marino Neighborhood Watch Block Captain, The San Marino Chinese Club, East Meets West Parent Education Club, and Red Cross Power Red Blood Donor. In my free time I enjoy traveling with my wife, bicycling, pickleball, tennis, beach volleyball, and downhill snow skiing.
July 4th Blecksmith 5K Walk/Run
I am passionate about giving back to the City which has given so much to me and my family. With my volunteer/work experience and passion to give back, I am inspired to further serve the residents of San Marino as their representative on The City Council. My campaign slogan is One San Marino! Although San Marino is comprised of many entities…one police, one fire, one public works, one library, one rec center, one zip code… we’re interdependent on each other, we’re one entity. Let’s listen to each other, collaborate and work together as One San Marino!
