Oxnard has been my home since I was three months old. My parents, who were farmworkers, encouraged me to pursue education and public service. While still in high school, I started with the City of Oxnard as a student trainee and ultimately was hired to work in the Utility Billing, Economic Development and Public Works departments. In 1998, I was promoted to Deputy City Clerk. 

For over 10 years I served as the Oxnard Deputy City Clerk before being promoted to Senior Executive Assistant to the Oxnard City Council and Oxnard City Manager.