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Monterey County, CA November 3, 2009 Election
Smart Voter

Candidate Statement of Qualifications

By Don Champion

Candidate for Board Member; North County Fire Protection District

This information is provided by the candidate
Please vote for Don Champion for NCFD Board of Directors
Don Champion loves the North County Fire Department. He is honored and proud to have been able to serve on the Board of Directors. He holds the North County Fire Department in such very high regard because he lives in North County, an area with great fire potential hazard. It is the responsibility of NCFD to provide fire protection for this area very high and complex fire danger; to provide emergency response for traffic accidents on several of the most dangerous roads in the Western United States and to serve the needs of a very diverse population. These factors require the fire department to purchase and maintain a wide variety of equipment, sponsor a wide variety of training and development programs, and maintain a wide variety of collaborative relationships on the local, state and national levels. The Board of Directors is the body charged with the responsibility of planning, implementing and strategizing how these wide varieties of tasks are to be completed. This is accomplished despite limitations. The most critical of which is the constraint of revenue available to the District. The implementation of NCFD Programs is accomplished through the process of budgeting. NCFD is considered nationally a premier example of a well run fire department. That is because it has been successful, in spite of extreme fiscal constraints, in providing to the community an extremely high level of service without assuming debt. To continue this high level of administration of NCFD resources will require ever increasing vigilance, and a high degree of knowledge, skills and abilities. NCFD needs someone who shows leadership and is qualified by motivation, education and dedication to act in the best interest for the constituents of North County. Don Champion is that person. He is seeking your vote to assure that continuity, cohesiveness and trust remain among the board, administration, the bargaining units and the public.
Don Champion has worked to foster entrepreneurial management practices within NCFD. These practices have resulted in unprecedented legal reforms, necessary equipment acquisition, personnel training and development. His contributions to the fiscal management of the District has resulted in a debt free district with the latest and most up to date equipment, the highest trained and motivated personnel, as well as savings to the taxpayers. He has supported the recruitment, hiring and retention of the highest caliber employees. He has demonstrated his ability to provide the needed leadership, collaboration and dedication to fulfill the duties of a Board Member of NCFD and much more. He is qualified by education, having earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration and his thesis concerned entrepreneurship in government. He is a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society as a result of his significant contribution to the field of Public Administration. He completed course work and earned his certification from the Special Districts Institute of California. In addition he has taught classes in Organization Behavior, Budgeting and Strategic Planning in various M.P.A., M.B.A. and Ph.D. programs. He is knowledgeable in all aspects of organizational theory, practice and management, including, but not limited to, Total Quality Management, Re-Engineering, Excellence, Management by Objectives, various budgeting strategies and more. He has researched and authored scientific studies focusing on effective and efficient performance of the duties of firefighters.
Don Champion has demonstrated his leadership at NCFD by holding the office of Secretary, Vice President and three separate terms as President. Above and beyond the duties of an NCFD Director he also represents NCFD, which is one of 43 Independent Special Districts in Monterey County, to the Monterey County Special Districts Association. He is currently the President of that organization. Don Champion was also elected a Local Agency Formation Commissioner and represents the citizens of the county as well as the Independent Special Districts on LAFCO. Don Champion would provide continued continuity of expertise, leadership and collaboration to the citizens of North County by having you as the voter re-elect him to the NCFD Board of Directors. If elected he will serve to provide the highest level of service to you and your community.
Don Champion has deep roots in the Salinas Valley. He has worked all aspects of produce sales and brokerage from field to transportation. He has sold produce domestically, to Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific Rim. He has experience negotiating letters of credit, booking trucks, railcars and shipping containers. After more than 15 years of fruit and vegetable quality control experience, he retired from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Inspection Services in 1989, to start The Champion Group. The Champion Group consults to a wide range of organizations to assist them in identifying and instituting strategies which enhance mission, profitability and team spirit. With special emphasis on training and development The Champion Group can design and facilitate programs for executives, managers, supervisors and line employees in the areas of Marketing, Human Resources, and Individual Skills Development.

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