He has taught botany at the university level for over 20 years. He co-authored the Monardella treatment for the second edition of the Jepson Manual, and authored Monardella for the Flora of North America project. He is past-president of the California Botanical Society and of the Alameda County Master Gardeners Advisory Board. He co-founded the Fertile Groundworks food garden in Livermore, and the Ted and Chris Robb Garden in Stockton. He started beekeeping in 2014 to augment his gardening activities. He lives with his wife and two children in Livermore.