Candidate for
Board Member; Carlsbad Unified School District

Gary S. Hill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the Mackay School of Mines at the University of Nevada in Reno. He is also a Graduate Gemologist with the Gemological Institute of America, a Certified Gemologist with the American Gem Society, and a Facilities Management Administrator with the Building Owners and Managers Institute International.

Mr. Hill is currently the Community Development Director for the Gemological Institute of America, a nonprofit educational institution for the world's gem and jewelry industry. Before joining GIA in 1978, Mr. Hill was employed in the jewelry industry as a retail store manager, gemologist and jeweler. At GIA, he has served in a number of capacities including colored stone and gem identification instructor, and management positions in residence gemology, distance education, audio/visual communications, facilities, management services and community development. As Director of Facilities, Mr. Hill was responsible for developing GIA's world headquarters in Carlsbad including site selection, design, construction and relocation. As Director of Management Services he developed the GIA collection into a museum with a gallery and exhibits throughout the Institute. In his current position as Director of Community Development, Mr. Hill represents GIA in the local community with the intent of establishing the Institute as a "neighbor of choice."

Gary has been a member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce since 1995 and a Board Member since 1998. He has served on the Executive Committee as Vice Chair of Economic Development, Vice Chair of Business and Civic Affairs, Chairman-Elect and now as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Hill currently serves on the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee, Carlsbad Business Environment Committee and Education Committee. He has served as the chairman of the Office Space Task Force, Transportation Task Force and Quality of Life Task Force. He established the Workforce Development Task Force and was a member of the Strategic Planning Task Force and Leadership Task Force.

Regionally Mr. Hill serves on the San Diego Association of Government's Citizens Advisory Committee For Transportation and is a member of the Employee Training Resource Network. For six years he was a Board Member and Vice President of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and represented the Foundation on the Carlsbad Watershed Network and the Network's Education Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation, the MiraCosta College Foundation and is a member of the California State University San Marcos President's Circle and the Carlsbad Arts Commission. Mr. Hill has served on the Board of the San Diego County Trails Council, is an active trail construction and maintenance volunteer for the San Dieguito River Park and is the Volunteer Trail Coordinator for the City of Carlsbad.

Mr. Hill has received numerous awards including the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement, Gemological Institute of America; Board Member of the Year, Special Chairman's Award and Special Achievement Award, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce; Certificate of Recognition, Youth Service Award, Total Commitment Award, Carlsbad Unified School District; Volunteer Excellence Award, City of Carlsbad; and Volunteer Award, San Dieguito River Park.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

I am 50 years old and have lived in Carlsbad since 1993. My wife, Denise, and I have been married for 27 years and have two children. Aspen attended Valley Junior High and Carlsbad High School. Austin went to Magnolia Elementary, Valley Junior High and Carlsbad High School, graduating this year. Both are employed and are students at MiraCosta College.

My interest in the Carlsbad school system began over 12 years ago when I researched local schools as part of GIA's possible relocation to this area. I was responsible for finding the optimal community for over 300 families to live and work. As a parent I made my commitment to the Carlsbad Unified School District in 1993 by taking my two children out of a small private school in Santa Monica and enrolling them in Carlsbad's public schools. This took place three years before the Institute relocated and I commuted 100 miles during the interim. It was worth it. I can still remember the excitement of finding a home within walking distance to three award-winning schools. It was wonderful to see all the little ones walking to and from school. Our children certainly enjoyed this new-found freedom, one that was not possible in Santa Monica.

I must admit that academics were not the only reason for selecting Carlsbad schools. As a parent I knew that developing social skills would play a very important role in my children's future. In touring the schools, I observed the students and their interactions with each other, the teachers and parent volunteers. I saw our future citizens and leaders in the making. Much can be learned about a community by observing the schools in action.