- 2-term Mayor of Culver City, and first Irish immigrant elected to its City Council
- Successfully managed an $85M city budget through the recession, preserving jobs and supporting economic development
- Regional influence as VP of both the League of CA Cities and Independent Cities Association
- Advocate for transit solutions as Board Member with Expo Light Rail, & Southern CA Assoc. of Governments Transportation Committee
- Trusted environmental advocate as Chair of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
- Successful, restaurant-industry, small-business owner in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties