Alan's Experience

Talk is cheap. Experience counts.

There is no substitute for experience -- and the knowledge that comes from actually solving problems.

The nation’s problems are complex and varied. They aren’t going to be solved by people whose only experience is as a Professional Politician. They aren’t going to be solved by people whose only experience is in one business or industry – especially if their only experience is in government.

Legislation is enacted at the highest levels of government – but it is implemented at the lowest levels of government. We need people in Congress who know what it takes to solve problems – and who can make laws that reflect the real problems of program implementation.

Solving the problems voters care about cannot be based on theories and what a Congressman learns in committee hearings from the representatives of special interests. Solving the problems voters care about takes experience working in communities, working with businesses. studying real problems and finding solution that work in the real world. 

Alan doesn’t just talk about the issues. On the issues that mean the most, Alan has “been there and done that.”

JOBS and JOB TRAINING: Nothing is more important to our economic wellbeing – individually and as a nation -- than a stable economy and secure jobs. Alan spent much of his early career in economic development and jobs training. He has worked with economic development agencies. He has participated in the development of jobs training programs for many businesses, developed co-operative programs of jobs training involving educational systems and labor unions and advised the Department of Defense in its programs of basic education and training. Alan is committed to promoting lifelong opportunities for continuing education and job training.

[Alan’s proposal for economic recovery is discussed more fully in the “Economy and Jobs” topic in “About the Issues.” Alan’s proposal for promoting community economic development is also discussed in the “Community Development” topic in “Fixing Government.”]

FINANCIAL MARKETS: Regulating and managing our financial markets is vitally important to all of us, and the the economic recovery. But the markets are complex, and managing the markets requires an understanding of the financial institutions. Alan was the founder and CEO of an NASD registered broker dealer. He has been a securities Principle and has participated in the structuring and syndication of investment instruments. As an attorney, he has also litigated securities fraud issues. He understands finance and financial markets.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL CONCERNS: The current “financial crisis” is a national problem. But it is also a personal problem. We need a Congressman who understands the problems of individuals and families. Alan has a long history of helping families in times of financial crisis. As a Chartered Financial Consultant, he has helped people deal with both short and long term financial needs. As a bankruptcy attorney, he has helped clients recover from overwhelming debt through reorganization and helped families keep their homes and property.

Alan also works as a volunteer attorney with New Mexico Legal Aid and other agencies assisting low-income families.

BUSINESS RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT: Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. They must be preserved and promoted by a Congressmen who understand their problems and needs.

As a management consultant and business owner, Alan understands business and the problems businesses face. He has actually started businesses, created jobs and had to make a payroll. He understands how difficult it can be to comply with myriads of local, state and federal regulations and the need for regulatory reform. In addition to confronting these problems as a business owner, and as a lawyer, Alan successfully confronted the problems of financially distressed businesses in bankruptcy proceedings. He also knows, from both personal experience as a business owner and as a lawyer, what it takes to manage a business in crisis.

[Alan’s plan for promoting small businesses is more fully in the “Small Businesses” topic in “About the Issues.”]

TECHNOLOGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY: Investments in technology is not just important for our national defense. They are vital to the economy of New Mexico.

Alan’s support for investments in research and technological development is not merely political. As an engineer, he has worked for the Atomic Energy Commission and in the development of submarine detection systems for the United States Navy and has held the highest security clearances for the Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of Defense.

RETIREMENT SECURITY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: All of us are concerned about our long-term financial security. We we are equally concerned about our immediate needs for health care and help in the event of a catastrophic injury.

Alan is a recognized national authority on retirement plans and employee benefit plans. Alan has advised dozens of companies on pension and welfare benefit plans.  Alan also has extensive experience representing workers – individually and in class actions -- in claims resulting from the mismanagement of retirement plan investments and the denial of health insurance benefits.

As a former insurance agent and client advocate, Alan also knows the problems you face in finding affordable insurance and recovering the benefits you have been promised.

Alan has also had the same problems you have when confronted with outrageous medical bills – and he has successfully sued hospitals over their billing practices.

EDUCATION: Improving our educational systems must be a national priority, and Alan has the experience to make certain that we address this need in a responsible way.

Alan has a doctorate in education [Harvard University] and real experience in education. He has been a school administrator with responsibilities for educational program planning, implementation and evaluation. He has been a consultant to more than a dozen school systems and education agencies and has directed program evaluations and policy studies for local, state and federal education agencies and for the World Bank. He has also advised state agencies on educational finance and assisted local school systems and community organizations in developing programs to involve parents in local education programs and make schools more responsive to community needs.

[Alan’s positions on Education are discussed more fully in the “Education and Jobs Training” topic in “About the Issues” and in a detailed position paper available on request.]

TAX REFORM: Our income tax system is a travesty of overly complex rules, provisions favorable to special interests and fundamental inequities in how income is taxed. It has to be changed, in a responsible way, by people who understand its complexity.

Alan has a post-graduate degree in tax law [L.L.M., University of Washington] and extensive experience in tax matters as an advisor to individuals and closely held businesses. He has litigated tax disputes with the IRS and written on tax policy and tax reform.

[Alan’s positions and ideas for tax reform are discussed more fully in the “Tax Reform” topic in “About the Issues” and in a detailed position paper available on request.]