Candidate for
Board Member; Foothill-De Anza Community College District

Biographical Information

Laura Casas Frier grew up as a working class immigrant, paying her own way through college and ultimately earning a law degree from the University of Santa Clara.

She is married to Ken Frier who works as Assistant Treasurer for a large Silicon Valley company. They have three children, James (17), Sarah (16) and Michael (12) who attend public schools.

CURRENT COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER WORK

Foothill - De Anza Community College District

Education Advocate- Working in Sacramento for Foothill- De Anza fighting for equalization of community college funding, fair distribution of Proposition 98 monies, increased local control, and passage of other legislative goals approved by the Foothill-De Anza Board. Fundraiser - Foothill- De Anza Foundation Board + raising money for unrestricted gifts to help create a quality college education and established a scholarship fund for limited income students. Community Representative + Foothill-De Anza Legislative Committee - Preparing legislative goals and acting as liaison to community on legislative issues.

Sixth District PTA (Santa Clara county-wide + 50,000 members in 200 schools)

Legislative Director + Organized lobbying teams to advocate for education funding in Sacramento. Served as an information conduit to community on time sensitive education legislative issues.

Mountain View High School Site Council - Community Representative (recently elected)

PAST COMMUNITY WORK

Cofounder of Harbor Community, Established a safe haven in a 35-bed transitional home for battered women and their children. Obtained corporate funding for a computer center at the shelter.

Conference Chair (5 years): Secured public and corporate sponsorship and organized "Adelante Higher Education Conference" to encourage 500 low-income high school girls to seek higher education through presentations with professionals of similar backgrounds

Chair and Grant Writer for School Based Management Council, Balboa Gifted Magnet Elementary School. As chair, wrote successful funding proposal for a school improvement and beautification project.

Lobbyist at City Council and the State level for the North Valley Coalition, fighting against expansion of Sunshine Canyon landfill due to community health concerns.

EDUCATION

J.D., University of Santa Clara, School of Law, 1982 B.A., Political Science, California State University, Northridge, 1978 Graduate of HOPE, Hispanics Organized for Political Equality Leadership Institute 1999

FORMER EMPLOYMENT

Senior Claims Representative + Evaluated and negotiated wrongful death and serious injury claims for an international commercial liability carrier.