Statement:

Paul has over ten years of managerial experience in the private sector. Paul was co-owner, with life-partner Jimmy Gruender, of a successful company for five years before moving to Phoenix. After arriving in the Valley in 2003, Paul gained employment with a private country club as an assistant chef. While in this position he attended and graduated with Honors from the Arizona Culinary Institute and was promoted in 2007 to his current position of Director of Purchasing.

Paul began donating volunteer time to Phoenix Pride in 2005 and received the 2006 Pride Volunteer of the Year award. He served for 6 years on the Board of Director of Phoenix Pride and currently serves as Secretary for the Consolidated Association of Prides, Inc (CAPI), which is a regional PRIDE association. He has also been involved with H.E.R.O. and was awarded in 2011 with their Unsung Hero Award.

Paul is returning for the fourth year as an Equality Walker and is honored to be named the Route Lead for Northern Arizona this year. Paul has had many great and inspiring moments during the past years walks and grew very close to his fellow walkers. He returns this year because he truly believes that the face to face meetings and personal stories shared by the walkers is the way to help effect change. Paul also walks again this year because he would like to be able to legally marry his life-partner of 18 years, Jimmy Gruender, and know that his home state of Arizona will recognize and honor that commitment.

“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history”

Mahatma Gandhi