10/13/2006

State board of education candidate biographies

NAME: Kevin A. Carey

AGE: 50 (March 5, 1956)

RESIDENCE: Detroit

PARTY: Green

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in political science, Wayne State University, 1992.

PROFESSIONAL: Unemployed teacher; substitute teacher, Detroit Public Schools, 1998-2004.

POLITICAL CAREER: Ran unsuccessfully for U.S. House, 1992; ran unsuccessfully for University of Michigan Board of Regents, 1988.

PERSONAL: Single.

WEB SITE: N/A

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NAME: George A. Emerson

AGE: N/A

RESIDENCE: Frederic

PARTY: U.S. Taxpayers

EDUCATION: N/A

PROFESSIONAL: N/A

POLITICAL CAREER: N/A

PERSONAL: N/A

WEB SITE: N/A

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NAME: Gail M. Graeser

AGE: 59 (Born Jan. 3, 1947)

RESIDENCE: Fremont

PARTY: U.S. Taxpayers

EDUCATION: Associate's degree, medical secretary and transcription, Jordan College, 1990.

PROFESSIONAL: Medical office manager, 1979-present.

POLITICAL CAREER: Has never held public office.

PERSONAL: Married to Ronald; three children.

WEB SITE: www.ustaxpayerspartyofmichigan.com/

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NAME: Erwin J. Haas

AGE: 63 (Born Dec. 9, 1942)

RESIDENCE: Grand Rapids

PARTY: Libertarian

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree from Canisius College, 1964; medical degree from State University of New York at Buffalo, 1968; master's in business administration, Grand Valley State University, 1988.

PROFESSIONAL: Semi-retired surgeon specializing in infectious diseases for 30 years; U.S. Army flight surgeon in Vietnam, 1971.

POLITICAL CAREER: Ran unsuccessfully for 6th U.S. House District, 2004.

PERSONAL: Married to Kris Kitzsteiner; three children.

WEB SITE: erwinhaas.lpwm.org/

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NAME: Debra Hayden

AGE: N/A

RESIDENCE: Hartland

PARTY: Natural Law

EDUCATION: N/A

PROFESSIONAL: N/A

POLITICAL CAREER: N/A

PERSONAL: N/A

WEB SITE: N/A

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NAME: Tom McMillin

AGE: 41 (Born June 6, 1965)

RESIDENCE: Rochester Hills

PARTY: Republican

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in accounting and economics, University of Michigan, 1987.

PROFESSIONAL: Chief financial officer, Landarc Inc., 2001-present; self-employed accountant, 1998-2001; state field director, Michigan Christian Coalition, 1994-98; financial analyst, MichCon, 1989-94.

POLITICAL CAREER: School board president, Prevail Academy, Mount Clemens, 2003-present; ran unsuccessfully for Oakland County treasurer, 2004; commissioner, Oakland County, 2002-04; mayor, Auburn Hills, 1999-2001; member, Auburn Hills City Council, 1993-99.

PERSONAL: Married to Dalila; one child.

WEB SITE: www.tomforbetterschools.com/

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NAME: Reginald Turner

AGE: 46 (Born Feb. 25, 1960)

RESIDENCE: Detroit

PARTY: Democrat

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, Wayne State University, 1982; law degree, University of Michigan, 1987.

PROFESSIONAL: Attorney in private practice, 1997-present; White House fellow, 1996-97; attorney in private practice, 1989-96; law clerk for former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Dennis Archer, 1987-89.

POLITICAL CAREER: Member, State Board of Education, 2003-present; member, Detroit Board of Education, 2000-03.

PERSONAL: Married to Marcia; two children.

WEB SITE: N/A

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NAME: Casandra Ulbrich

AGE: 32 (Born Sept. 6, 1974)

RESIDENCE: Rochester Hills

PARTY: Democratic

EDUCATION: Associate's degree from St. Clair County Community College, 1994; bachelor's degree in political science, University of Michigan, 1996; master's degree in communication, Wayne State University, 2003; entering dissertation phase of doctorate degree, Wayne State University.

PROFESSIONAL: Senior director of development, Wayne State University, 2004; director of development, College Urban Labor and Metropolitan Affairs, 2003-04; assistant director of development, College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, 2001-03; press secretary for U.S. Rep. David Bonior, 1999-2000; assistant communications director, Michigan Democratic Party, 1997-99.

POLITICAL CAREER: Has never held public office.

PERSONAL: Married to David Williams; no children.

WEB SITE: ulbrichforstateboard.com/

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NAME: Eileen Weiser

AGE: 56 (Born Oct. 1, 1950)

RESIDENCE: Ann Arbor

PARTY: Republican

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in music, Michigan State University, 1972; master's degree in music, University of Michigan, 1975.

PROFESSIONAL: Executive director, McKinley Foundation, 1993-2000, joined foundation in 1988; real estate agent, 1975-82; teaching assistant, University of Michigan School of Music, 1974-75; music instructor and substitute teacher, Saginaw Public Schools, 1972-73.

POLITICAL CAREER: Member, State Board of Education, 1998-present; member, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, 1991-98; former member, Ann Arbor Zoning Board of Appeals.

PERSONAL: Married to Ronald; three children; four grandchildren.

WEB SITE: www.eileenweiserforstateboardofeducation.com/

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NAME: Ernest A. Whiteside

AGE: 45 (Born Aug. 17, 1961)

RESIDENCE: Monroe

PARTY: Libertarian

EDUCATION: Associate's degree, medical laboratory technology, Community College of the Air Force, 1987; bachelor's degree, business management, Park College, 1992.

PROFESSIONAL: Customer service manager, Schwan's Home Service Inc., 2006-present; software sales, 2000-03; medical technologist, 1979-2000; Libertarian Party chairman in Denton County, Texas, 2001-02; member, Texas state party executive committee, 2001-02; served in Air Force, 1979-93.

POLITICAL CAREER: Ran unsuccessfully for State Board of Education, 2004.

PERSONAL: Married to Delia; six children.

WEB SITE: home.comcast.net/~ewhiteside/family/index.htm

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NAME: Jacob Woods

AGE: 19 (Born Aug. 5, 1987)

RESIDENCE: Dearborn Heights

PARTY: Green

EDUCATION: Sophomore attending Western Michigan University.

PROFESSIONAL: N/A

POLITICAL CAREER: Has never held public office.

PERSONAL: Single.

WEB SITE: www.woods2006.spmichigan.org/