Candidate for
City Council Member; City of Millbrae

The City of Millbrae will be 60 years old in January 2008. I have lived here 35 of those years. My business operated in Millbrae for ten years. This city means more to me than a suburb of San Francisco or an over-flow of SFO. This is my home -- our home.

My thirty-seven years in global export services prepared me, perhaps better than some, to appreciate the many ways our community has been enriched.

My long history of volunteerism in Millbrae includes: BART Opening, Chamber of Commerce, Community Outreach, 50th Anniversary Committee, MCTV, Fire and Police Departments, receiving California's Park and Recreation Society District IV Volunteer Award in 2004, Schools, Senior Advisory Committee, Service Clubs and more.

I was honored as "Millbrae Woman of the Year" in 2001.

I listen to youth, seniors, newest to oldest residents, businesses, teachers, city staff and the precious volunteers without whom we cannot succeed.

I know how our city works. I understand and am qualified to face our future of great challenges. I welcome the opportunity to help make good decisions for our community as we turn the page of civic leadership.

I respectfully request you vote for me on November 6th.

Signed, Marge Colapietro

Marge4Millbrae@att.net

============ DETAILED BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ======

Background/Education

I was born and raised in South San Francisco. I attended and graduated from All Souls Parochial School in SSF. I paid my own way through Mercy High School (Burlingame) by baby-sitting, selling greeting cards, and tutoring a mentally challenged young boy after school. I graduated Mercy High School.

Throughout both elementary and high school I held elected class offices, and developed good leadership skills. I received various awards that acknowledged my dependability, responsibility, and other achievements.

I worked part-time while trying to take some college courses. Then, because I was needed at the office more and more, I began to work full-time.

Professional Career

I began working in the international freight forwarding industry in 1969. There were no trade schools on the subject, so I learned by hard knocks at the instance of my manager who simply handed me a huge book of export rules, regulations, and tariffs!

The first eleven years I worked as an employee for various international freight forwarding companies.

I rose very quickly from an export clerk to supervisor. I was lured away to become the first female air cargo station manager in San Mateo County. During my first year as manager, I brought my employer's company standing from 26th up to 4th on the Pan American Airlines prestigious list of top cargo clients! I was again lured to two other companies and held the title of Vice President.

I worked in management for both union and non-union companies. I managed and supervised employees, was a mentor-teacher to employees in my department, and am proud that all those whom I taught the trade to became supervisory and management personnel during their own career development.

I represented my employers in sales/marketing in SF, the East Bay, and yes the new-born Silicon Valley exporting corporations!

I became well-known for my expertise in letter of credit financial negotiations. I estimate that over a thirty-seven year career I was entrusted with, and responsible for billions of dollars in payments to clients. I was also a go to person when bankers had technical questions regarding the interpretation of financial letters of credit regulations.

I was convinced to open my own company through encouragement from clients. I did so early in 1981; breaking into what was traditionally known as a man's world was no small feat.

I was required to apply for licenses and certifications from several Federal agencies that include:

Civil Aeronautics Board (C.A.B.)

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC)

U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Approved Agent

U.S. Small Business PASS Program

After application reviews, interviews and background checks I was approved by all of the agencies. Some required on-going training to maintain approvals.

I have also been a California Notary Public for over thirty-five years. I needed to work very hard and many long hours to build and maintain clientele in an extremely competitive industry. There were times when the U.S. export trade dropped dramatically. During the very tough years I always made sure that all of my employees received their paychecks on time. I was able to do so, not by asking for loans, but by very good fiscal management of my corporation!

I am very proud that the business I founded was able to sustain itself, unblemished for over 26 years!

A partial list of clients that I provided export services to throughout my entire career include: Adobe Systems, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Amdahl, Apple, Applied Materials, Atari, Atlas Asia-Pacific, Bay Area Kenworth, Cisco Systems, Ford Aerospace (NATO projects), Genentech, Golden Gate Produce, Hewlett-Packard, Intel,Lee-Ray Tarantino Produce, Memorex, Microsoft, National Semiconductor, Oracle, RCA Corporation, Symantec, and Top Oil Products Company.

I retired from employment and closed my business in March 2007. I dissolved my California corporation in June of this same year.

Among the over twenty-six years of memories, is knowing that I made a positive contribution to the growth of the export economy for our Country, State, and for San Mateo County!

========== What Qualifies Marge Colapietro for Millbrae City Council? =========

• I have a very long-term foundation of service to the community

• I have a long history of attending almost 100% of the regular and special City Council meetings as well as City Events

• I have a long history of active participation in the community, and know the issues

• I have a very broad and well-founded view of the City and how it works

• I know how the City Staff works and believe that Staff and I will work well together to achieve the goals for a vibrant and strong community

• I will have the time, energy and enthusiasm to devote to being a responsible Council Member

• I have experience as a resident and/or businessperson with all of the depart- ments in the City

• I served two consecutive terms (total six years) as a Director on the Board of the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce. Prior to being termed-out of office, I served on several sub-committees that include the: Annual Art & Wine Festival, Business of the Year, Fundraising, Holiday Tree Lighting, Hospitality, Membership, Youth Ambassador Selection, and the Selection Committee that proudly hired the current Chamber President & CEO

• I have been in about 90% of the businesses in the City's commercial areas, relate well to home based businesses, and I maintain a very good relationship with the culturally diverse businesses in Millbrae

• I prepared the 501[c] [3} application for a community non-profit organization

• I am stable, steady and consistent in my advocacy for our community of residents, youth through seniors, and for all Millbrae businesses

• I served on the original Asian Outreach Committee, the current Outreach Committee, and I have an excellent rapport and mutual respect for our culturally diverse community members, much of which I gleaned from over 37 years of doing the majority of my global business between the United States, Asia, and the Southeast Asian countries

• I always put the City ahead of my individuality and I have a broad view of our total community

• I was successful in establishing and managing a public donation fundraising project to benefit the City of Millbrae Adult Senior Programs (ultimately the City); and, as of March 31, 2007 I raised cash and in-kind contributions in excess of $ 98,963.21 during a period four fiscal years, and I continue to be committed to that on-going project

• I do not seek personal recognition or benefit, nor do I seek praise or attention

• I encourage others to take the stage while I try to remain in the background

• I have a strong sense of leadership, I stay focused on the task at hand, am creative and forward-thinking, and am well organized and get things done

• I am conscientious, dependable, responsible, honest and trustworthy

• I welcome the opportunity to make good decisions for our community and for Millbrae's future

• I am very proud that every task I was asked to undertake made our City Council, City Staff, and our community shine just a little brighter!