BIOGRAPHY

Professional: Since I graduated from UPS Law School in 1981, I have spent most of my career in the trenches as a deputy prosecutor: 15 years with Thurston County and since 2001 with Pierce County. I have handled all kinds of criminal cases--juvenile, misdemeanor, and felony cases including murder trials. Civil cases I have handled were child abuse and neglect (dependencies) and my current assignment doing mental illness commitment hearings. Additionally, I was a session attorney for the WA Senate (1982) and for a time had a solo general practice doing family law, personal injury and criminal defense.  I have a real estate agent’s license as well.

Family: Linda and I were married in 1980 and have raised three boys, John, David and Steve. They attended Washington-Hoyt, Mason, Stadium, Heritage Christian, Life Christian, TCC, UW-Tacoma, Central and Western. My grandson, Edmund, was born Nov. 14, 2007. My mother-in-law, Dixie Tanner, has recently come to live with us.

Here's the extended family at the Asleep at the Wheel concert in Bremerton, Jan. 09.

Joe, Lyle, James, Beth, Harriet, Ray, Jocelyn, Hilary, Alyssa, Steve, Mom, Ken.  Mom is 85 and still going strong!  We took her to France last year to visit the home we lived in near Orleans (1959-1962).
 

Grandson Edmund, summer '09, at Jefferson Park, 100 degrees!
One reason I’m running: to make sure his future is bright.

   


High School Reunion: 2010 is the Curtis High School class of 1970’s 40th reunion, Saturday, August 14 at La Quinta Inn. I have some great 60s music picked out. Any 1970 Vikings out there, be sure to come! And Friday night the 13th, everyone is invited to come by the Cloverleaf. 

                        


VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

COMMUNITY
The county has a Mental Health Advisory Board whose purpose is to give input regarding the mental health system’s effectiveness. Since I was working with the mental health professionals, I volunteered to be a part of the Board. I was approved by the County Council in 2009 and served for about six months. Unfortunately, after the County switched to the private Regional Support Network, I could no longer serve.

YOUTH SPORTS
When my children were younger, I coached baseball and basketball at the Boys and Girls Clubs.

CHURCH
Linda and I attend Tacoma Foursquare Church.  I am teaching adult education classes & so far I’ve led a class on personal finances-- Financial Peace University, and one on the Christian influence on the founding fathers--Wallbuilder's American Heritage.  Our church men’s group dealing with relationships is called Men’s Fraternity.

HOBBY
For a couple of years I played in a classic 60s group, The Pleasant Fools Band.  Here we are in Wilkeson, WA.  That's me on the keyboard.



Brian—lead guitar & vocals, Kevin--bass, Bill--rhythm guitar, Dave--drums and yours truly.  The band broke up the month before Edmund was born.