Sam Blakeslee

Samuel Norman Blakeslee (born June 25, 1955) is a former Republican California State Senator representing California's 15th State Senate district. He previously served as a California State Assemblyman from California's 33rd State Assembly district, and a former State Assembly Republican Leader. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 2004 to represent the 33rd Assembly District,^[1] which includes the coastal communities of Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Pismo Beach, and Guadalupe. He was re-elected in 2006^[2] and 2008,^[3] and elected to the California State Senate in 2010.^[4] Blakeslee left the Senate in December 2012.^[5]

Biography

Educational background

Blakeslee grew up on the Central Coast. He graduated from San Luis Obispo High School and then began a career in construction. Years later, he returned to school and attended Cuesta College, where his father, Earle Blakeslee, taught music when the college first opened in 1965.^[6] He later earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in geophysics from University of California, Berkeley.^[7] Blakeslee earned a Ph.D. from University of California, Santa Barbara^[8] for his research in seismic scattering, micro-earthquake studies, and fault-zone attenuation. He is published in numerous scientific journals.^[9]

Scientist

Blakeslee worked as a research scientist at Exxon’s research lab in Texas, where he received a patent for inventing an innovative technique that used medical cat-scan technology to create detailed images of geologic formations. Blakeslee moved into management and became a Strategic Planner, where he was responsible for helping manage Exxon Production Research Co. budgets.^{[citation needed]}

Financial planner

Blakeslee returned to the Central Coast and joined the family company, Blakeslee and Blakeslee. Blakeslee introduced state-of-the-art technologies and systematized the advancement of high client-service standards in financial planning.^{[citation needed]} Blakeslee continues to serve as president of the company, although he has reduced his involvement due to his responsibilities as a legislator.

Community involvement

Prior to his election to the Legislature, Blakeslee served as an elected two-term Trustee for Cuesta Community College. He was first elected in 1998.^[10]

In 1999, Assemblyman Blakeslee authored the successful DREAM Initiative. Passing by 75%, the DREAM Initiative was a countywide advisory ballot measure that sought to create a long-term vision for the future of PG&E's 12 mile scenic coastline known as the Diablo Canyon Lands.^[11]

References

1. ↑ http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2004_general/formatted_st_AD_all.pdf
2. ↑ http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006_general/assembly.pdf
3. ↑ http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/40_56_state_assembly.pdf
4. ↑ Alexander, Kurtis (2010-08-18). "Blakeslee bests Laird in Senate runoff". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-08-18. 
5. ↑ Hoppin, Jason. "Sam Blakeslee leaves office, with challenges ahead". santacruzsentinel.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012. 
6. ↑ http://academic.cuesta.edu/president/PDFFILES/Adopted%20Min%20306.pdf
7. ↑ http://www.independent.com/news/2010/mar/04/uncertainty-factor/
8. ↑ http://www.independent.com/news/2010/mar/04/uncertainty-factor/
9. ↑ http://www.crustal.ucsb.edu/about/annual_reports/1987-1988/pdfs/1987-1988-070-pub.pdf
10. ↑ http://www.smartvoter.org/1998nov/ca/slo/race/119/
11. ↑ "Planning Nuclear Plant's Retirement". Los Angeles Times. February 6, 2000. 

External links

• Campaign web site