Background: Magazine publisher and editor.

Why I got into public service: My family was, in one way or another, always engaged in the public process. With strong opinions concerning public safety, education, and children, I decided it was time to jump into the fray.

Guiding Value: Honesty. Being true to self, colleagues, and constituents is always a sure guide.

#1 Rule of Politics: Keep your eye on the prize. Don't let challenges and temporary roadblocks fog your vision of what you are trying to accomplish. Remember why you're here.

First Job: Making salads at a local pizza restaurant.