I spent the first 17 years of my life in a tiny little sandbox of a community called Trona, California, on the road to Death Valley. I wanted more than Trona could offer, so I made a plan, got jobs and saved money, studied hard, and graduated class valedictorian. I paid my way through Cal Poly Pomona and finished in four years with a degree in chemical engineering, with honors. Hard work and fiscal responsibility are baked into my DNA.

Yorba Linda is my hometown now. It is where I got married, raised three children, and built my life in this community. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given here, and as my way of saying thanks I have given back through volunteering as a youth sports coach and with the United Way.

Yorba Linda is a wonderful place to live. My experience as a resident, father, husband, volunteer, and city official has given me a practical perspective on this city. I want to build on what makes it special by offering a fresh perspective and new ideas.

My professional experience has prepared me to evaluate the practical details behind City decisions. I have managed a small-business assistance office and opened three satellite locations. I learned what it takes to make government easier to work with while ensuring standards are met.

I also worked for the County of Orange, writing planning documents, preparing bid packages, and managing contracts. That experience gave me firsthand experience with the kind of long-term planning, procurement, contract review, and project oversight that City Councilmembers must evaluate.

I am a Licensed Professional Engineer and hold an MBA in Accounting. I also spent a year auditing taxes for the State of California. I am comfortable reading budgets, understanding the contracts behind them, and asking practical questions about costs, commitments, and results.

I served as your Planning Commissioner for more than 11 years. I was appointed by the City Council, reappointed three times, and my fellow commissioners elected me Chair for three terms.

That experience means I am ready to serve effectively from day one. I understand the care required to review a public record, evaluate an application, hear from residents, and make decisions that will affect neighborhoods for years to come.

As your Planning Commissioner, I did not only read staff reports. I visited every location that had an item before the Commission, and I met with applicants, neighbors, business owners, and residents who wanted to share their perspective. I learned that some of the best ideas come from the people directly affected by a decision.

Good government works best in the daylight. I believe residents deserve earlier notice, clearer information, and a real opportunity to weigh in before major decisions are made, not after.

That approach means listening carefully, preparing thoroughly, reviewing the facts, and explaining decisions plainly. It also means giving the City’s spending, contracts, major projects, amendments, and change orders the scrutiny they deserve.

As your Councilmember, I will work to make sure Yorba Linda actively engages residents as we move forward. I will bring a practical, collaborative approach that respects the people who live here and focuses on results that strengthen our community.

Yorba Linda has the potential to offer more to our neighbors. As your Councilmember, my goal is to engage in a collaborative process that gives our neighbors more options here at home.

This is a diverse community that can support more retail and dining. A stronger local retail presence would give all of us more to enjoy close to home while strengthening the City’s long-term financial foundation. That can support City services, programs, and benefits while building on what already makes Yorba Linda the special home it is.

I am running because I have a vision for a more engaged, prepared, and prosperous Yorba Linda. I would be honored to earn your vote.

Robert brings local planning experience, professional qualifications, financial training, public-project experience, and a lifelong commitment to hard work and community service.