Shane was born and raised in Arcata, where he was introduced to a culture of social awareness and public service at a young age. His mother Susan regularly took him along to her classes at Humboldt State University and to her board meetings at the Northcoast Environmental Center. Shane grew up to appreciate volunteerism and became forever committed to working for a better, more just world.

As he grew older, Shane became interested in grasssroots community organizing and civic participation. He organized drug-and-alcohol-free concerts for local youth, marched against the war in Iraq, prepared food for those in need, educated renters about their rights, and volunteered for other worthy causes.

At the age of 18, he was elected to be a Governing Board Member for the Northern Humboldt Union High School District, making him the youngest elected official in Humboldt County. As a young progressive in a group dominated by the "old guard," he worked to build bridges of respect and communication between people with differing views, while respectfully pushing back against the rubber stamp culture of the board.

Shane was elected to the Arcata City Council in November of 2008. In his time on the council, he has been an advocate for poverty relief, local economic development, public safety, the protection of constitutional rights, responsible land use, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and local control, among other things.

Term in Office: December 2008 - December 2012

Appointments:
Representative to the Humboldt Waste Management Authority (HWMA)
Alternate to the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC)
Alternate to the Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA)
Liaison to the Arcata Chamber of Commerce
Liaison to the Arcata/Camoapa Sister City Committee
Member, League of California Cities Housing, Community and Economic Development Policy Committee

Past Involvement & Community Service:
Governing Board Member, Northern Humboldt Union High School District (NHUHSD)
Member of NHUHSD Wellness and Sports Advisory Committees
Campaign Manager for County Supervisor Mark Lovelace
Member, Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee
Volunteer organizer with the Tenants Union of Northern Humboldt
Organizer of anti-war rallies and marches with Communities for Peace
Volunteer for youth recreational activities organized by the Placebo
Volunteer cook for Arcata Food Not Bombs
Front desk attendant for the Redwood Peace and Justice Center
Student Body President, Sunny Brae Middle School