I was born and raised in Utah. When I attended East High, both my required Civics and U.S. History classes stressed the concept of an informed electorate. The need for civic participation was understood to be a requirement for the proper functioning of our society. These were values I saw put into action by my parents. While at the University of Utah, I took a class from J.D. Williams further reinforcing and deepening my understanding. I obtained a BS, Masters, and Ph.D. from the University of Utah, spending a year postdoc at NYU.
I have spent most of my working career as a psychologist. I specialized in disability and addictions, primarily working at the University of Utah and McKay Dee Hospitals. For decades, I also maintained a private practice in Salt Lake City, in general adult and couples therapy.
As part of LBJ’s War on Poverty and the enactment of Title XX of the Social Security Act, federal block grants were made available to states. I was an original member of Salt Lake County’s Title XX council. We established criteria and procedures for the distribution of those funds, which included both a government and citizen decision-making process. I have also, for decades, served on the Board of Trustees for the North Fork Special Service District, providing water, fire and sewer services for the unincorporated county area it serves.