Full Biography for Diane Benge Lenning

Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Huntington Beach

As a fifth generation Californian, I am a graduate of Huntington Beach High School in 1964, graduate of Orange Coast College in 1966, and graduate of Cal State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 1970. I also hold a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from CSU Long Beach 1976, as well as a Traffic & Safety Credential. I earned a Learning Handicapped Credential from CSU Fullerton in 1993. I was "Miss 4th of July, HB, 1947. A mere baby!

Married for 31 years, my husband is a CPA in Seal Beach, managing his own business since 1979. Our son is a CPA/Senior Financial Analyst for Gateway Computer at their headquarters in South Dakota. Our daughter works for British Airways. We have three grandchildren.

Selected to Who's Who in American Women in 1991-2, for volunteer work in community services in surrounding communities, including as a counselor in the CYA, and also a staff teacher to all males ages 14-25 in the CYA. These were invaluable experiences for re-entry into public high school teaching in 1990. Currently, I am a high school teacher in the Garden Grove Unified School District. In the late 1970s, five years of substitute teaching in high schools in six different Los Angeles and Orange County High School Districts, including HBUHSD, gave me experiences in a broad spectrum of cultures, educational perspectives and methods.

I have been a resident and/or property owner in Huntington Beach since 1946, although we lived in La Palma during the years our children completed school.

I offer experience in decision-making and consensus-building skills in various capacities. As a previous Board Member and current Committee Chair of my professional organization, previous Captain of Neighborhood Watch, Training and Experience in Education and Awareness of Youth and Gangs, previous counselor to youth, advocate of Zero Tolerance of Crime, and other community service, I offer varied experiences covering a broad spectrum, which makes me a strong individual for City Council.

I know how to network and advocate for the needs of the community. I offer the leadership ability to develop and facilitate consensus-building for high quality decision-making. I am an analytical thinker with the ability to consider various alternatives to arrive at workable solution.

As a Leader on the Field as a Youth, I am also a Leader in my Field today! I lead the action to make our neighborhoods, schools, and places of businesses safe from violent crime by supporting law enforcement officers and associated personnel in its community efforts, as well as actively participate in educational and awareness training among the youth and communities of Southern California. My experiences provide real life training for decisions that work!

My background affords the experiences and training to make decisions for a Safe, more Efficient City, expanding the High Quality of Life to everyone who wishes to grasp that responsibility.

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself to you.

HUNTINGTON BEACH NEEDS LEADERS THAT REACH FOR THE BEST!

I can provide that leadership.

YOUR VOTE MAKES US PARTNERS IN OUR CITY GOVERNMENT!