Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Santa Rosa

EXPERIENCE:

GENERATORJOE: Santa Rosa CA 1999 to present. Position: President (absentee owner) http://www.generatorjoe.NET This business was started when a generator was needed for another business. Since then the business has grown dramatically and we now have one of the most modern, comprehensive web sites in the industry. We are developing three additional sites; GeneratorJunction.com is a generator sales portal and auction site. FiltersOnline is a sales site for over 6,000 filters for automotive, construction, marine and other engines. BatteriesOnline is a site that sells and delivers batteries nationwide without shipping batteries, its like 1800 flowers for batteries. All sites are to be completed by the end of November and will be officially announced at "PowerGen", the largest generator industry convention, in Orlando in December.

QUARTZ CASTLE INC.; (Organic Groceries) Santa Rosa, CA 1996 to Present Position: President (owner) Reorganized, remodeled and revitalized one of northern California's oldest natural foods groceries, known as Organic Groceries. Expanded the stores offerings to include fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, groceries and related products. Established the largest vitamin, herb and homeopathic inventory in the region. Hired all new staff (9), including specialists in vitamin and herb therapies. Developed sales and marketing to increase sales to over $2 million annually, within one year of taking over operations. Currently substantially absentee owned and managed.

SPECIALIZED COMPUTER SYSTEMS INC.,(& subsidies), Martinez, CA, 1985 to 1999 Position: CEO Managed a multi-store corporation engaged in sales of computer hardware, software and services. Primarily responsible for operations, finance, contract and legal matters. Started and managed semi custom computer system manufacturing operation and software development organization to develop and market highly technical multimedia programs, products and systems. Profitably exploited market niches for industrial computers and related high#end video products. Planned, implemented and oversaw production, scheduling, assembly and traffic activities. Determined requirements and obtained financing for corporate operations and expansion at the multimillion dollar level including use of debt, factoring, leasing and commercial paper. Performed corporate treasurer duties. Directly supervised accounting, credit, collection and contract administration. Company sold for a substantial profit.

WATER UTILITY, Santa Rosa, CA, 1979 to 1985 Position: Water Administrator (General Manager) Responsible for general business management and operations of a water utility with a multimillion annual budget. As assistant to the Public Works Director I supervised budgeting and use of funds for capital improvement funds and millions in public works operating funds plus utility operations budget, over $51 million total.

While with the Water and Wastewater Divisions I was involved in extensive contract administration responsibilities including technical specifications, negotiation of change orders. Maximized maintenance and construction efforts while significantly reducing operating expenses. Directed the preparation of budgets and master expansion, maintenance and operations plans along with all financial elements, sourcing and finance schedules. Revamped organizational system to allow for higher production levels with fewer personnel. Created standardization guidelines for the construction and maintenance of facilities. Wrote hazmat, emergency and safety plans.

In the Public Works Department I handled public relations with public appearances, interviews and media publicity for special programs, including sensitive environmental projects and issues. Hired and supervised outside professionals such as engineers, architects, contractors and other specialists. Supervised department and division personnel, including engineering, scientific, technical, professional, production and administrative staff, with full hiring, supervision and review. Public Works Department emergency coordinator for all divisions. Assistant to the former Fire Chief (Mike Turnick) for City Wide Emergency planning. Served as Interim manager for the Sewer Utility Division during transition of the divisional general manager.

Public Works Department, Santa Rosa, CA, 1979 Position: Administrative Assistant to the Director of Public Works, Mr. Broydon J. Riha. Prepared comprehensive organization plans. Reviewed documents, conducted interviews and wrote summary analysis for financial, operations, facility maintenance and large projects with recommendations for improvement and/or solutions to problems. Served as department troubleshooter and personnel officer.

Employment Development Department (EDD), Santa Rosa, CA 1976-1979 Position: Veterans Advisor and Outreach Supervisor Assisted veterans in obtaining employment and training. Sought out Viet Nam veterans to return them to the mainstream via counseling and peer understanding. Acted as an advisor and counselor at Flower of the Dragon, a local veterans group.

COUNTY OF SONOMA, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, Santa Rosa, CA, 1969 to 1976. Position: Deputy Sheriff Law enforcement duties as dispatcher, transportation officer, court bailiff, narcotics investigator and patrolman. Honorably retired on disability due to gun shot injury in line of duty. Currently a California Peace Officer.

MILITARY: U.S. NAVY Radioman, E5 Rating on Honorable Discharge Teletype and cryptograph repair. NATO Top Secret clearance. Vietnam veteran.

EDUCATION: AA Degree in Criminal Justice, BS in Busniess Management, MBA Candidate, Juris Doctorate (Law Degree).

OTHER EXPERIENCE: Licensed Private Investigator, State of California

Sonoma County Grand Jury, 1995

Deputy Chief of Staff, (and Ambassador-At-Large), Department of California, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 1987-88 (Serving 300,000 California Veterans).

Viet Nam Veteran Advisor to California State Commander, Department of California, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 1987-88. Served the State Commander while going through the chairs and after his tour of duty as State Commander. Helped establish 32 new VFW Posts, a state and national record of recruitment.

Please see my Political Philosophy at http://www.smartvoter.org/2002/11/05/ca/sn/vote/romano_j/philosophy.html