| Sonoma County, CA | November 2, 2010 Election |
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Biography of Mike HarrisBy Mike HarrisCandidate for Council Member; City of Petaluma |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
Mike Harris...Embracing Small Town Values Throughout his early years, Mike lived in a collection of small towns in Northern California. His mother took on the dual role of filling the shoes of both parents. She recognized the benefits that a small town would offer in reinforcing the values that she wanted to instill in her young son; and so at six, they settled in the foothills of the Sierras. It was that same recognition that led Mike to later settle in Petaluma. His mother's dedication as a single parent, community leader and wage earner inspired Mike. As a young boy, and with support and encouragement from his mother, he worked in the family restaurant. This allowed him to meaningfully contribute to the family budget as well as gain invaluable business experience. Most of his hours as a teen were taken up with the demands of work. However, upon completion of High School, Mike recognized that if he were to achieve his future dreams, he would need further education. With his dreams firmly in mind, he returned to his roots. At 17, he enrolled at Sonoma State University. There he simultaneously worked and pursued his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management and a Minor in Economics. He followed his mother's lead and took an active leadership role in his community; participating in the International Business Association, Financial Association and as a founding member of a Fraternal Organization. He also served as Treasurer, President and leadership representative at Northwestern University. After graduation from college, he served as Vice President of the Sonoma State Alumni Association. He helped to create endowments for scholarships to needy students. He also served on the Sonoma State Annual Distinguished Alumni Selection Committee and in 1998 chaired that committee. Mike has taken on leadership in his community with the same enthusiasm and dedication that has been his life-long trademark. At the county level, he has served on the Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board and the Large Employer Advisory Board (a group that works on regional housing and transportation issues). He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Petaluma Chapter of the Ducks Unlimited, helping to raise nearly $50,000 for the preservation of wetlands habitat. Mike currently works at a local financial services company as a Senior Vice President. Over the last 19 years, he has been involved in the management and planning of the company's growth. Currently, he works with more than 220 employees, many of whom live and raise their families in Petaluma. Today, Mike wants to continue to serve Petaluma. He is dedicated to making city government work by restoring faith in the values held by this small town. Petaluma, similar to Mike embraces small town values: hard work and a can-do attitude. He is proud of these values that he learned long ago under his mother's watchful eyes. They have become an integral part of his character and form the basis of the future that he envisions for his community. |
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 20, 2010 23:04
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