Meet Taylor

History

Taylor grew up outside of Portland, Oregon along the Columbia River. After graduating high school, he served an LDS mission in Mexico before attending Brigham Young University where he studied Biophysics, Logic, Business, and Philosophy. Taylor also played for the University Orchestra for two semesters. He graduated with a Bachelors in Science and two minors. 

After college, Taylor lived in the San Diego area for a couple years before moving to the San Francisco Bay area to work as an air traffic controller, were he met and married his wife—a native of the Gilbert area. In 2015, Taylor and his wife left the Bay to return back to the Phoenix Valley, his wife's hometown. Taylor and his wife have two children, who were born in the Valley and attend HUSD schools. They are now surrounded by parents, aunts, siblings, in-laws, and cousins scattered throughout the Phoenix area and southward in Tucson. Taylor and his wife's family ties go back six generations here in Arizona. 

Experience and Interests

Taylor has an ongoing history with education. During college, Taylor provided tutoring services to science students. After graduation, Taylor worked for several years as a paid tutor to middle and high school pupils. Taylor believes strongly in continual education and has sought to further his own learning by taking online courses from MIT, Harvard, University of Arizona, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute of Moscow, Russia, and Princeton University.

Taylor speaks fluent Spanish and has worked both as a Spanish translator and tutor, and has taught himself to speak French. He is also studying German and Russian. When Taylor graduated, he was able to read the music of and proficiently play 12 instruments. In high school, Taylor played varsity football, wrestled, and ran track. During his time in San Diego, Taylor discovered and fell in love with Muay Thai, where he became competitive for several years. Taylor has a vast battery of past jobs, side jobs, interests, and hobbies—from 911 dispatcher to sport bike motorcycle riding to music video background extra. Today, you will find him cooking, reading the classics, attending screamo metal concerts, reading legal cases and studying law, and spending time with his family. 

Reason for Running

Taylor cares deeply about his children, and the education they and their peers receive. Once his children entered the public school system, Taylor became very interested and an active participant in his children's school; he believes that many are willing to discuss and criticize, but few are willing to take action and volunteer. Taylor seeks join the HUSD governing school board to ensure all HUSD students receive the highest quality education, parent's voices are heard, teachers receive the support they need, and taxpayers' interests are justly represented.

Through his professional vocation, Taylor has had the opportunity to serve on a number of panels, committees, delegations, and commissions, and understands the importance and nuances of working cohesively with others from diverse backgrounds and interests. Taylor also has the unique insights of each side of the negotiating table and working with union members, both as a former bargaining unit employee and currently as a management official. With his employer completely funded by taxes, Taylor has unique insight into public funding and ensuring a balance between fulfilling essential needs and being held accountable with tax dollars. This is what makes Taylor an excellent candidate for HUSD Governing Board Member.