  I'm a product of Maryland's public school system. Because of a
great elementary school teacher in a great public school, I
overcame dyslexia, developed a love of reading, and graduated
from high school while holding down a half-time job. I've been a
working man since then.  At age 19 I began managing a local,
independent retail business that was just starting up at the
height of the mid-1970s recession. We broke even by the second
year because we had a good understanding of the business we were
in, ran the operation efficiently, stocked it well, offered a
level of customer service that nobody else understood, and then
offered follow-up customer service. The customer was the only
reason we were there, and the customer was always right. These
are principles I'll carry into my service as a City Council
representative.  Since the age of 30 I've worked in the film
industry, here in Baltimore and around the country. I've worked
as a Locations Scout and Manager, Assistant Director, and
Producer. The film industry