About Chris

Yep! That's me. Class of 1984, Healdsburg High School senior photo!

I was born in the old hospital on Johnson Street in 1965 and grew up on Sanns Lane. My first job was working in my dad’s store, General Drug, right on the plaza. He was a pharmacist. I washed the big windows (in what’s now an art gallery) and cleaned up. Dad always instilled in me the value of giving back to the community. He never ran for office but was always active in local non-profits.

After high school, I went to the JC in Santa Rosa for a few years, during which time I played in a couple of bands. After a few hitchhiking adventures, including one to Europe, I moved on to Sonoma State where I got my degree in psychology. From there I spent a year in Eugene, OR. and 3 years in Boulder, CO. (plus a few months traveling in Asia). Needless to say, the draw to return to Healdsburg was too strong, so in 1996 I returned.

I ended up working at Luthiers Mercantile Int’l (which was then headquartered in Healdsburg but later moved to Windsor). We sold woods, tools, and parts to guitar makers. As a lifelong musician and guitarist, this job was a perfect fit. I was the Sales Manager there for over 25 years, then moved to work for a larger company in same industry -Stewmac, based in Athens, Ohio! Needless to say, I now work remotely. Part of my career was directing the world-reknowned Healdsburg Guitar Festival. I have given presentations at numerous industry events throughout the country -and I have made a lot of friends along the way.

Enter Briana! After a short courtship, we knew that we wanted to start a family together. We were married in 2005 and Arlo came along a year later, with Henry completing the picture in 2008. Briana grew up on a farm on Canyon Road. outside Geyserville and studied at Portland State. She completed her Masters in Library Science at San Jose State. She works for the Sonoma County Library and is active in their union, SEIU 1021. Needless to say, we are both supporters of unions, and passionate about books and the many ways that libraries contribute to our communities.

Arlo is into politics too! He’s currently President of the YoungDems club at the Santa Rosa Junior College, where he is studying political science. The club is endoresing regional candidates and signing up young voters. He’s into music and cooking. Henry has studied cello for many years now and plays with the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra, who toured Europe in 2025. He will be studying chemical engineering at Brown University. He’s a passionate gamer and really loves dogs. I am blessed with two amazing, good-hearted kids. We have a great time!

Other things I enjoy: Shopping at the Farmer’s Market, cooking for my family. music at Elephant in the Room, all things guitar, a good nap, meditation, reading, walking, and biking. Coffee and conversations with constituents at Black Oak Coffee (and other places) is also a major pastime!

In 2012 I was surprised and delighted to win the whimsical Mr. Healdsburg contest! That was a lot of fun, and we helped raise a ton of money for the Raven Theater. As I appeared as "Mr. Healdsburg" at numerous city events, my love for the town deepened. After my “reign”, I began looking for an avenue to contribute to our community and ended up with an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Over 7 years I served three terms and was selected Chair twice. I learned a lot on the Commission. Most of all I, have come to appreciate how “hands on” democracy is in a small town. Real people coming together can make a real difference.

This lead me to a successful run for City Council in 2022. The obvious next step. I hope to continue my public service journey by being elected to a second term.

Thanks for reading! -Chris

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