Education
- J.D. – 5/15/06 - Emphasis: Land Use, Sports Law, and Worker’s Compensation
- BS Degree: Government – 6/13/80 - Focus: International Relations, CA Politics & Public Speaking
- Several additional/enhanced “credentials/certificates”– from tax preparation to education
- Bondable, Passed Teacher Security Certification & White House Security Clearance
Goals & Objectives
- Goal: To find employment that allows me to utilize my Legislative Advocacy skills for corporate and personal profit
- Goal: To see the Oakland Athletics win another World Championship
- Objective: To team with others in an effort to better California’s social and business climate(s)
Career Highlights
- Drafter/Sponsor of ACR 65 (Porantino - 2011) – California’s policy on Israel and Middle East Peace
- Sponsor of AB 577 (Miller – 2011) - rewrites California’s Investment Capital Gains Laws
- Production Manager: 3 years - Chabad’s “Passover Education Week” State Capitol Lobbying Program – 75 participants. The legislature bestowed resolutions on several California Rabbis
- Project Manager for “Chanukah at the State Capitol” – California’s official Menorah lighting with the Governor and legislative leaders – 2011 was my 3rd year
- Registered Legislative Advocate since 1992 - legislative experience since 1978. Direct advocacy experience in multiple states, several local governments and Congress
- Worked on cases that went to State and Federal Appellate Levels, including the US Supreme Court
- Educator: High School – course 1: Political & Social Science(s) course 2: Intervention & Career Skills
- Applicant to fill the vacant Managerial Position with the Oakland Athletics (2006)
- Publisher: newspaper(s), trade faxes, an email newsletter and website(s)
- Winner of the ACE 2001 Political Involvement Award
- Trade & Not-For-Profit Association formation, board management, operations and fundraising
- Published - over 150 times, including a workbook on ‘how to lobby
- Wrote, directed, edited and distributed a video on “Grass Roots Advocacy”
- Worked for the passage/defeat of over 2,500 pieces of legislation nationally. Areas include: Consumer Protection, Zoning/Land Use, Collectibles, Telecommunications, the Internet, Sports & Entertainment
- Part of a fundraising team that raised over $5 million in three fiscal years
- Zoning, land use & community plan experience at all level(s) Assisted in the attraction of a professional sports to Sacramento, as well as the planning & construction of 2 arenas & a stadium
- Named one of the 10 most influential people in the Sports Card Industry by USA Today in 1992 (On the same list as Joe DiMaggio and NBA Properties)
- Won public speaking and debate awards while in college. Currently make regular presentations to The California Legislature, corporations (including annual meetings), audiences and classes
- Designed internationally distributed trading cards: Grateful Dead, Billiards, Antique Dolls & H. Ross Perot’s Official Campaign Trading Card in 1992
- Domain name purchase/sales: for 2 days, I held the world record for the highest priced domain name
Professional & Educational Experience
- MCR Public Affairs and Advocacy since 1/92 – Legislative Advocate
- World Wide Collectibles 7/92 to 8/93 – Vice President, Collectibles
- Sacramento Jewish Federation 7/87 to 1/92 – Managing Editor - SHOFAR
- Work in and around the State Capitol/Legislature since 2/7/78
- American River Current 9/86 to 2/87 - Advertising and Circulation Manager
- Citizens Against Music Censorship (CAMC) 7/85 to 1/87 –Anti Censorship Music Advocate
- Sports Fans Consumer Advocate/Lobbyist - 8/81 to current - FANS
- Assemblywoman Sally Tanner 1/78 to 10/81 - Administrative Assistant
- Department of Conservation – Paid Intern - Public Info. Officer 11/81 to 3/82
- M. A. P. Investment-property management – since 8/78 to today – closing 6/1/11
- Attorney’s Diversified Services-Legal 2/78 to 8/87
- Senate Democratic Caucus-Assistant Analyst 6/78 to 7/79
- College of San Mateo-Animation Instructor 9/76 to 2/78
- Palo Alto Film Institute – Instructor – 9/77 to 2/78
- CSU at Sacramento-Intercollegiate Debater 1/79 to 12/80
- Model United Nations Representative- 3 years/nations 8/76 to 12/79
Volunteer Experience
- Rabbi Education Day - Legislative Seminars in the California State Capitol
- Past President & Board Member (4 terms) - Discovery Village Homeowners Association
- Chabad of Sacramento – Event Volunteer
- McCain for President 2008 campaign volunteer
- Sports coordinator for the Sacramento Jewish Community Center (Softball and Basketball Leagues)
- Editor of the Sacramento Wheelchair Sports Association’s monthly paper – 2 years
- Press coordinator for the Bob Dole for President Campaign in Northern California
- Campaign work (several campaigns) at all governmental levels
- Participant in policy formation bodies at the state, county and city levels (Including General Plans)
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Professional Skills
GOVERNMENTAL & LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY: The ability to
- Clearly explain California’s Legislative and Budgetary process(es) in private or public
- Make appointments with, and brief, elected officials, staff and committee consultants
- Establish goals, manage staff, fundraise and achieve results
- Address (and correct) constituent concerns
- Analyze and Summarize legislation
- Construct and organize polling information & mailing lists
- Create/organize Political Action Committees (PAC’s), including all paperwork
- Develop legislative agendas, write position papers and testify before political bodies and committees
LEGAL, PARALEGAL: The ability to
- Provide direct legal support for business and product development, advertising, marketing, e-commerce, IT and network operations, general procurement and other commercial functions
- Structure, draft and negotiate political strategies & marketing plans, agreements/contracts, legal/legislative briefs, and advertising copy (including story boards, scripts and promotional copy)
- Provide wide range of advice and counseling on related matters, including intellectual property, Board operations, regulatory compliance, risk management, operationalization and partner relations
- Coordinate the activities of ‘industry professionals” including legal certificated associates
- Work with legal staff to amend, kill or “set up” legislation for court challenges
- Clearly explain legal principles and concepts to lay personnel
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, EDITORIAL & PUBLISHING: The ability to
- Author (published) articles, editorials, reports, features, speeches, memos, and legislative proposals
- Handle complex media relations, including staging media, multimedia and fundraising events
- Design, publish & distribute brochures, web sites, print material, & trade show booths
- Analyze television, radio and newspaper material in an effort to develop promotional strategies
- Coordinate, solicit and fact check corporate theme based reports and articles, including department generated copy for accuracy & consistency of corporate message and standards
- Written reports and brief management on the progress/status of projects and assignments
- Provide clarity, vision and leadership for a highly analytical team
- Developed media buying strategy and analysis of effectiveness
- Develop requirements to improve efficiency while automating and streamlining reporting
- Ability to develop, create and use data to develop and manage projects
- Establish ways of evaluating and measuring marketing data
- Deliver insights and ideas to marketing team designed to improve performance and efficiency
COMMUNICATIONS: The ability to
- Increase consumer awareness about corporate actions or product developments
- Work individually or as part of a team, with global stakeholders, politicians, consumer groups, & media and marketing professionals to develop material that articulates corporate consumer positions
- Develop corporate strategy that benefits the company and consumers
- Design, develop and launch PR campaigns targeting key media, by establishing rapport with consumer reporters, editors, and producers at the local, state and national levels
- Build and nurture relationships with broadcast, print and online media representatives
- Integrate public relations activities into overall marketing campaigns to support business objectives and collaborate with other cross-functional departments
- Build and execute effective PR Programs, by creating public speaking activities and initiatives
- Communicate original insightful & perspective on consumer behavior in the marketplace
- Gather and communicate information and present to corporate leaders for their use
MANAGEMENT/ ADMINISTRATIVE: The ability to
- Suggest and implement policy, as well as facilitate change within corporate structures that identifies and prioritizes goals and agendas, supports the company’s strategic marketing plans and direction(s)
- Assist in the creation of strategic plans that create options, visions, goals & mission statements
- Transform a vision into reality by implementing general strategic direction(s) into tactical action plans, with presentation, discussion and validation from stakeholders
- “Pick up the ball and run” with a project, even when faced with ambiguity from senior leadership
- Represent business interests in meetings before policy bodies, politicians, business and the media
- Coordinate ongoing internal and external initiatives by establishing objectives, determining priorities and community organizing
- Development and conduct large and small meetings, prepare agendas and distribute invitations
- Screen resumes selected applicants and conducted personnel interviews
- Organize committee actions, including creation of agendas, budgets and voting recommendations
- Work with stakeholders to drive product/service definition and design
- Collaborate with leadership to build goals, products and services
- Coordinate and manage day-to-day development issues while identifying, creating and enacting solutions for problems that arise between corporate divisions and affinity groups
- Contribute to a product’s business model and strategy, while taking ownership of the “roadmap”
- Reconcile business and creative needs to create products with successful business models
ARTISTIC & GRAPHIC: The ability to
- Create digitalized Multimedia presentations, conduct live and still photography sessions
- Provide creative and artistic services, including the design, layout and paste-up of publications
- Use several artistic mediums, including paint, clay, computer and animation to produce art
COMPUTER, TECHNOLOGY & OFFICE: The ability to
- Type 65 wpm, answer phones, bookkeeping, file documents and follow budgets
- Multi-Platform: Windows/Macintosh - HTML, PHP, Drupal and Webpage design
- Moderation of online website forum(s)
EDUCATION & TEACHING: The ability to
- Create Lesson Plans for multiple grade levels and follow complex district rules and regulations
- Interface with parents, School Board Members, Administrators and Department Chairs
