I've lived in Santa Monica for 30 years, but was born just outside New York City. My family moved to New Haven when I was 13. I grew passionately involved in the campus radio station while I was at Yale, and broadcasting became my first career.

Radio brought me to California in 1973 and then to KROQ, eventually as general manager. When the suits took over FM, I became creative director of an L.A. ad agency, did numerous voice-overs, and in time owned a small recording studio on Santa Monica's Main Street.

I consulted on the formation of Santa Monica's Public Electronic Network, PEN, and was founding chair of the PEN Users' Group. PEN was where I first became a local activist, working on projects like SHWASHLOCK (SHowers, WASHers and LOCKers for job-seeking homeless) and opposition to a luxury hotel on the beach at 415 PCH.

I've served on the SMMUSD technology advisory committee, the Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights steering committee, the Task Force to Restore Barnum Hall (at Samohi), Santa Monica's Telecommunications Working Group and as Chair of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition. Before I was elected to City Council I wrote for local newspapers on housing, community and communications issues.

I still love to let the little kid in me loose on my bicycle, enjoying Santa Monica's beach bike path.