I was born and raised in New York City (in the borough of Queens). After high school and a couple of short stints in college, I made my way to Madison, Wisconsin in 1974. After two years of studying Chinese and Japanese language and literature (formally) at the University of Wisconsin; and trade unionism and left-wing politics (informally), I learned the printing trade at Madison Area Technical College. I moved to Milwaukee in 1979.

I worked as an offset and flexographic press operator. After 10 years in the printing trade I studied environmental health at Milwaukee Area Technical College. I went to work for the City of Milwaukee, first as a water plant operator, then as a food safety inspector in the Health Department. I also served as an officer, newsletter editor and volunteer organizer for my union (Local 1091, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees). I retired in 2016, after 26 years of service.

I volunteer with Milwaukee’s Ex Fabula – occasionally telling stories, and blogging recaps of storytelling slams. Until the Trump administration changes at the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration, I was a volunteer interviewer/writer with the My Life My Story program. I’ve also volunteered with the Milwaukee Urban Ecology Center’s community science programs, and with my Milwaukee neighborhood’s Friends of the Beerline group.

I frequent open mics (and occasionally feature) in Milwaukee and other southeast Wisconsin poetry venues. I’ve written and published three poetry books. One full-length collection – “In the Field, Autobiography of an Inspector (2018) – and chapbooks “The Beer Line” (2022) and “All the Secrets Around Me” (2025).