I was born overseas and came to the US when I was two years old. I grew up in a small town in Texas—the kind of place where I went to Cub Scouts in a trailer home with the sweetest of den mothers. My first job there was knocking on doors selling newspaper subscriptions. I was too young at the time to get my own route, so I joined a crew of kids who were driven through neighborhoods with one pitch: “Would you like a subscription to the Bryan Daily Eagle?” Every time we made a sale, we were handed a dollar bill right on the spot. By the time I turned 10, I finally got my own route—delivering the actual papers, and then heading back out door-to-door to collect two dollars a customer.

Later on, my family moved to a suburb of Seattle where I finished high school. I stayed busy working a bunch of different teenage jobs: taking on another paper route (and even managing the paper shack), picking up shifts in restaurants, and lifeguarding. Eagle Scout, News Carrier of the Year, generally a box-checking kid. Still, things certainly weren’t always smooth—my shack burned down with me almost in it, but that is a story for another time.

After high school, I headed to the Boston area for college. The summer after my freshman year, I landed my first real programming job—writing assembly code for Microsoft back in 1982. In hindsight, I’d be a lot richer had I just skipped college and stayed there. Shrug.

Instead, I finished my degree out East, and eventually made my way back to the West Coast. Over the years, I’ve worked as a programmer, a researcher, and for the last 27 years, a professor at UC Berkeley. My academic research focuses heavily on algorithm design and optimization. Inside the classroom, I teach massive courses—often consisting of 500 to 800 students at a time—covering topics like Discrete Math, Probability, Artificial Intelligence, and Pedagogy. Beyond teaching and research, my role involves deep engagement in public service and educational policy, including time spent serving on the Berkeley High School Site Council and shaping administrative standards across the UC system.

For a deeper dive into how this hands-on experience translates into effective governance, see more details about my roles as a professor.

Family-wise, I’ve raised three kids, coached numerous recreational soccer teams, served on Berkeley High’s school site council for a few years, and been active with my kids and our community. Just for giggles, my ex-wife always joked that the “real” Mother’s Day was the first day of school: she stayed at home with our three kids because it was economically better for us as a family. For what it’s worth, after we split, she took a job that required travel, and I took over as the primary parent. So sitting down to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee after the chaotic morning rush is an experience I grew to deeply appreciate.

Random other things: Live music at Eli’s Mile High Club with a Ghost Town IPA is great. Before golf, I played basketball (more tall than talented). Such a beautiful game. Ran a marathon once to impress a girl, was pretty fast. Generally chill, sometimes passionate.

Looking back, I see (and feel) my mistakes—but knowing what I know now, they would be fewer.