CURRENT MISSION

Working to make our communities welcoming for new immigrants. I believe strongly in the great value that immigrants bring to the United States. Both the country and immigrants benefit by being well-integrated and connected in the community.

In the past, I have promoted great urban design in Gainesville, Alachua County, and Florida, as executive director of Florida Community Design Center. I love to learn from friends and colleagues around the world, and to share experiences and enthusiasm, through Gainesville's Sister City Program, Welcoming Gainesville, Bulla Cubana, and other initiatives.

ABOUT ME

I am a parent, small business owner, and former elected official (city commissioner from 2010 to 2016) in Gainesville, Florida (I am in dark suit with tie), with my wife Ondine (she is in red dress) and kiddos Aleida and Eli.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I couch-surfed before there was couchsurfing using the web, and hosted a multitude of visitors to Washington DC (where I lived and worked for 15 years). Included living and working at the International Youth Hostel in Washington DC for 5 years.

Interests

I love travel and politics and economics and getting to know people and where they live.

• politics
• traveling
• economics
• urban planning
• urban design
• international affairs
• local government

Music, Movies, and Books

Kite Runner

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Thumbed for a ride in rural Guatemala on the way to Tikal; on the back of a tractor in Nicaragua; and across northern Argentina on the way back to Santiago, Chile from Foz de Iguazu, Brazil.

Teach, Learn, Share

I like to cook enchiladas with mole sauce; talk about history, international affairs, and culture; and listen to music from nearly all genres.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Experience promoting local economic development, excellent urban design, and healthy environment, as a former elected official and active citizen in Colorado, Washington DC, and Florida.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Palestine, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Chile, Costa Rica, United States