Name: Jim O'Brien
Age: 58 years
Family: Cathy Lines (wife), 27 years CCSD Psychologist/Mental Health Coordinator; James (son); Sean (son)
Education: Graduate School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado, MPA, 1981; Xavier University, BS, 1971
What I do: Nonprofit Board Director, Telecommunications Consultant, "Stay-at- Home" Dad
My favorite place in town to hang out: Highline Canal - Biking
What I like most about living here: Climate and people
My interests and hobbies: Nonprofit volunteer, biking, skiing, golf, photography, travel
My favorite thing to cook: Spaghetti
People who inspired me (and how): Parents: Taught me the values of kindness, generosity, ethics, and to be a life-long learner; Wife: Inspired me to have an appreciation for children with special needs and challenges; Sons: Helped me to develop patience, and to adopt a fun-loving and balanced approach toward life.
How I have contributed to the community: Have had an education focus through my work with the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation: Our team of business and community leaders has raised over one million dollars in direct support of students and teachers; Parent/volunteer for over 15 years in Cherry Creek schools including the district On-Line Learning Steering Committee, and the district Technology Advisory Task Force
The biggest issues facing CCSD now: Closing the achievement gap; meeting the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act; Insuring that every student is inspired to learn every day, including those students with academic and behavioral challenges; Safety and security and standardization of district technology
Why I am running: I want to "push the needle" on the excellence that has defined the CCSD; I believe in and support the district's mission and values; I have been a parent/volunteer for over 15 years - an experience that has exposed me to the many positive benefits of the district, and the challenges it faces;
I have had over 20 years of business/nonprofit experience - I understand the importance of listening, and long-range planning and forecasting. I want to apply these experiences and skills in support of education as a member of the school board.
Editor's note: YourHub.com is seeking candidate profiles for the upcoming November election. If you are running for the APS or CCSD school board, contact Julius Vaughns at 303-954-2967 to submit your own profile or click here to post it online. All profiles will be run in the print edition in late September or October.