Candidate for
Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 5

Toan S. Le was born on December 26, 1973 in Da Nang, Vietnam. His father was a Lieutenant Colonel who served with the South Vietnamese Army and fought alongside many brave Vietnamese and US soldiers. His mother was a devoted and caring homemaker who was trying to raise four young children during a war torn country.

After immigrating to the United States in 1975, his family settled in Tracy, California. In a farming community, the Le family worked many odd jobs to survive, including working in the fields and in factories. Late at night, Toan's father focused on studying while his mother continued to care for the children. Years later, both parents began working for tech firms and decided to relocate to San Jose, California. His family's immigrant experience created a sense of duty and invoked the passion in Toan for his community and country.

Toan started his first day as a kindergartener at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School. Perhaps it was fate that brought him to a school named after one of America's greatest civil legislators. As a young second grader, he was asked to represent his grade level on the student council. Toan enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity and has since served his schools and community. In his senior year in high school, Toan was recognized for his leadership and awarded the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T) Leadership Award.

As a student of the East Side school system, Toan became aware of the many social issues in the community, namely the rising level of gangs and gang violence. He began working with different organizations to help students at-risk and those prone to gang life. He created after-school tutoring and sports programs, self-esteem programs, and programs that linked school, student and parents. He also volunteered working with different non-profit organizations, like the United Way, Loaves and Fishes, and Asian Law Alliance.

In 1994, Toan started working for then Board of Supervisor Mike Honda. He worked on special projects, including the Domestic Registry Program. In 1996, Toan joined the staff of newly elected Supervisor Pete McHugh. Toan was responsible for coordinating the Law and Justice Committee and the Finance and Government Operations Committee. As a policy aide, Toan gained invaluable experience reviewing and developing policy and budget recommendations.

In 1999, Toan changed careers and followed his second passion + computers and technology. During his years working in the high tech sector, he has been responsible for integrating information systems, developing business plans, providing advance level systems expertise and project management, and implementing cost reduction strategies while maintaining a high level of service. Toan's ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and executives allowed him to implement organizational changes. As an independent consultant, Toan continues to make positive contributions to his clients.

In 2003, Toan and his wife Sumi decided to make Santa Clara their permanent home and purchased their first house. They plan to start their family in the near future, but are currently catering to their dog Mochi.