Candidate for
State Senator; District 17

As an Education Consultant (1985 to present), Mr. Kraut actively assists local schools and institutions by creating optimal learning environments. Mr. Kraut also provides expertise regarding California accreditation, budgetary expenditures and forecasts, fiscal policies, and course curricula. Mr. Kraut developed what is now called "Optimal Teaching Programs" that are systems that support inspired teachers and motivated students.

As Senior Administrative Analyst at UCLA in 1998, Mr. Kraut was responsible for developing strategic and implementation plans for the first complete American learning system reform in over 100 years. These revolutionary learning concepts are now utilized by the UCLA Graduate School of Education and in Honors Programs in the Los Angeles Unified, Compton, and Lynwood School Districts.

From 1995 through 1998, Mr. Kraut was Dean of Justice Studies and full time Professor at the American Institute of Legal Studies, Phoenix, where he taught 14 different subjects at this degree granting private college. His Justice Studies Department prepared students for careers in Law Enforcement, Corrections, Court Administration, Investigations, Social Services, Private Security, Juvenile Justice, and Adult Probation.

Mr. Kraut has applied his understanding of behavior and learning by developing learning programs and course curricula for 15 colleges and institutions. He has participated in school accreditation in California, New Mexico, and Arizona. Some of his more notable roles in education include Co-founder of a Vocational School in Albuquerque (1996), Director, Private Security Program headquartered in New York (1992-1995, and President of California's largest Security Academy in Los Angeles (1985-1992).

Mr. Kraut has devoted particular attention to writing and implementing programs for the Latino Community, based on his extensive knowledge of Latin American culture, customs, and beliefs. He is also considered an expert regarding the identification, prevention, and treatment of Domestic Violence and has published a book entitled "Ending the Abuse Before It Starts."

Inside the Criminal Justice System

Mr. Kraut is currently President of a California and Arizona State licensed private investigations firm, based in Santa Clarita, that conducts criminal screening, background checks, and behavioral profiling. Originally formed only to provide internship experience for college students, his investigations firm has taken a life of it's own and over 20,000 criminal cases and 150,000 background searches have been analyzed since the company's inception in 1997. Mr. Kraut makes sentencing recommendations and has appeared as an expert witness regarding criminal conduct and excessive use of force. Mr. Kraut is intimately familiar with the California Superior courts system and State managed court operations.

Security and Anti-Terrorism Expert

Mr, Kraut co-founded and served as Executive Vice-President of a 10,000 member strong California Security and Law Enforcement trade association (1992-1996). He was founder and President (1985-1992) of one of California's largest private security placement and training academies, training and licensing over 20,000 uniformed personnel.

His academies trained bodyguard and security personnel for numerous high profile clients to include Arnold Scwarzenegger, Madonna, the Saudi Royal Family, Rod Stuart, and the Beverly Hills Hotel, as well as police and law enforcement personnel. He served as a security and anti-terrorism consultant for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Golden West Broadcasters (Channel 5), and the California Angels.

Mr. Kraut directed private security and safety operations for six secret/top secret divisions of a major Southern California aerospace manufacturer, to include corporate headquarters (1982-1985). Ultimately responsible for over1,200 personnel, Mr. Kraut responsibilities included security operations at Plant 42, Palmdale and at Edwards Air Force Base.

Community Volunteer

As pro bono investigator for the Public Counsel Law Center, Mr. Kraut provides free investigations for clients of this non-profit legal service, representing children, minorities, and the needy. Mr. Kraut serves as a Committee Member on the 32nd State Senate Teen Pregnancy Prevention Consortium, sponsored by California State Senator Nell Soto, where he designs learning and evaluation models and strategies relating to preventing unwanted teen pregnancy. Mr. Kraut is a member of the Human Relations Forum, a Santa Clarita Valley non-profit organization that promotes the appreciation of cultural and ethnic diversity while fighting discrimination.

Decorated Veteran

Graduating first in his military class at UCLA, Mr. Kraut is a decorated U.S. Army Infantry Officer, attaining the rank of Captain. He specialized in leading combat missions and special operations and ultimately directed combat and training operations for a 6,600 strong Infantry Brigade. As a troop commander and soldier, he appreciates and understands "leading by example." Having been appointed adjudicating officer in military courts, Mr. Kraut is accustomed to making fair, equitable decisions.

Mr. Kraut is an Army Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, Expert Infantryman, Expert Mountaineer, and a Tactical Nuclear Weapons Specialist and has received accommodation for overseas service, leadership, and performance.

Active in Legislation

Mr. Kraut holds elected office on Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee, has been appointed as Ex-Officio to San Bernardino, Kern, and Ventura Counties, and serves as a member on the Latino Caucus.

As Dean of Justice Studies, Mr. Kraut spearheaded the development of new learning programs in cooperation with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and participated in developing state legislation and policies regarding Education, Law Enforcement, Domestic Violence, and Juvenile Justice, and Recidivism. He served on the Arizona State Senate Juvenile Justice Committee which helped shape juvenile justice legislation.

Mr. Kraut continues to participate in legislative efforts by offering unique concepts and solutions in California. Areas of contribution include legislation regarding new education and learning systems, pollution control, the justice system, judicial sentencing, probation, and criminal rehabilitation.

Keen on the Environment

Mr. Kraut is particularly interested in sponsoring environmental protection, insuring our water, air, and food are safe and our precious resources protected. Experienced in scientific and statistical analysis, he worked for the Lundberg Survey, North Hollywood (1982-1985) gathering and helping assess gasoline price and consumption rates. He also holds an engineering patent (U.S. Patent 5,190,018) on a first generation smog reduction device (1993) and has conducted extensive engineering and testing of smog reduction equipment.

Formal Education

Mr. Kraut holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University, a BA from UCLA in Political Science, and Associates Degree in Education from Los Angeles City College.

Personal Information

Mr. Kraut was born and raised in Los Angeles, attending Fairfax High, L.A. City College, and UCLA before serving with the United States Army. A single parent, he and his son, Joshua, a CSUN Junior, moved to Santa Clarita in 1999. Mr. Kraut maintains a highly athletic schedule, enjoying cross-country running, racquetball, mountaineering, and weight training. His avocations include Latin dance, community service, and, of course, supporting political change.