My father along with my brother, sister and I relocated to Salem Oregon from Colorado in 1951. We resided on the grounds of the state penitentiary where my father was the deputy warden. In 1964 we moved to Beaverton Or. where I attended Sunset high school. In 1967 I joined the United States Marine Corps. During my service I served in Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief / machine gunner. On my return to the states we were stationed at NAS Whidbey Island where I instructed reservists on a variety of subjects. I was discharged from the active duty in May of 1971 serving 2 more years in reserve status. My wife and I and our two children relocated back to Beaverton.
I obtained employment with Georgia Pacific Corp. as a production control clerk with the machinery construction division in Tigard Oregon eventually becoming the office manager. In addition I enrolled at Portland State University attending class in the evening for the next six years. My concentration was in business administration with an emphasis on accounting and finance. In 1974 I was promoted to senior accountant of the corporate division in Portland. After several years I was promoted to the position of comptroller of the Portland division and international operations.
In 1978 I accepted the controller position with Tube Forgings of America, Portland, Or. Within a couple of years I was charged with the overall operational aspects of the business assuming the position of Vice President of Operations. Through my tenure at Tube Forgings I assumed additional responsibilities for two other related companies, serving as the president of TFA, Inc. and Executive Vice President of Gulf Supply Company located in Houston Texas.
In 1988 I founded Summit Manufacturing, Inc., a company devoted to servicing O.E.M’s (original equipment manufacturers) off load steel fabricated requirements.
My wife and I have been married for 43 years. We have two children our son Lew III who with his wife Tamie has three children Lauren (17), Austin (13) and Addison (10). Our daughter Jackie resides in the local area and also works at Summit Manufacturing. Both of our children were former Marines.
Career Summary:
1967 – 1971 United States Marine Corps, Sgt. Crew Chief / machine gunner
1971 – 1972 Georgia Pacific Corp. Machinery Construction Division Tigard, Or. Production Control Clk.
1978 – 1980 Tube Forgings of America Portland Or. Controller
1980 – 1988 Tube Forgings of America Portland Or. Vice president of operations
1983 – 1988 TFA, Inc. Portland Or. President
1986 – 1988 Gulf Supply Company, Inc. Houston Tx. Executive vice president
1988 – to present: Summit Manufacturing, Inc. President
Messaging:
I have decided to run for State Representative due to the continued, increasing and irresponsible spending habits of the legislature. After the passage of the 09-11 budget coupled with the taxes specified in measures 66 & 67 it was obvious to me that I had to take a more active role in the direction of our state. There are many issues that are interwoven into the previous statement. Prioritization of budget items, well established goals and objectives of each department as well as department heads being held accountable for results. I truly believe that the vast majority of our legislators harbor the concept that we, the people, are here solely to support the government and its agenda. This position is not what our founders had envisioned nor is it the way it should be. In summary I intend to focus my energy and efforts at reversing the ill fated course our state is presently on. Thus my entry into the 2012 election cycle.