Candidate, Alabama State Board of Education, District 4, 2010

No caucus information on file.

Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Altruis Limited Liability Corporation

Experience, Author

Experience, Biomedical Research Scientist

Founder/Chief Executive Officer, IntegriDerm Incorporated

Chair, Southern Research Institute

Professor, University of Alabama

Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Founder/Presiding Officer, Biotechnology Association of Alabama

Founder/President, Path Clearer Incorporated

Member, Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce

Awards:

Top 40 Under 40 Award -- Birmingham Business Journal
Top 5 in Medicine Award -- Scientific American
Who's Who in Health Care Award -- Birmingham Business Journal

Priority Issues:

The Alabama State Board of Education has oversight responsibility for all of Kindergarten thru 12th grade public education and the public 2-year college system (plus some specialized technical training centers). I desire to be a blessing to the citizens of our state by serving on this important board.

Education within Alabama has many long-term and deeply entrenched problems that need to be addressed. Our educational system is often cited as being in the bottom fifth of all 50 states, depending on the chosen criteria. I say that being perceived as 48th by any assessment is simply unacceptable! I firmly believe that the Great State of Alabama can do better, should do better, and must do better. I believe that we can provide hope to the hopeless.

Ironically, although Alabama has some of the lowest "lows" in public education achievements for the entire nation, we also have some of the highest "highs". That tells me that it is possible to attain greatness in this state. I believe that public education can serve a very practical role in overcoming economic and educational disparities. A quality public education funded by taxpayer dollars can "level the playing field". As tangible evidence thereof, my family of six are all products of public education, and collectively we have achieved remarkable academic and professional accomplishments in life.

If I am elected to serve on the State Board of Education, I will work to improve our educational system on three major fronts:
The Students

First, let us build upon our established strengths in providing teachers the training and tools necessary to set our standards high. EXCELLENCE must be our standard, not ACCEPTABILITY! Let the cream rise to the top, and stop homogenizing the milk to produce a mediocre minimally "acceptable" outcome.

Toward this goal, we already have two initiatives that are exceptional -- the Alabama Math Science and Technology Institute (AMSTI) and the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI). However, both programs need to be fully funded and deployed into all of the schools statewide. It is a shame to have these remarkable resources that are under- utilized.

AMSTI beautifully complements Alabama's remarkable historic accomplishments in math, science, and technology. We have put men on the moon and developed new therapies for diseases. Can't we train a new generation of youth who will thrive in math and science? I have a vested interest in this matter, as I am an internationally recognized PhD scientist and entrepreneur. I have experience as an instructor in molecular biology and pharmacology at several universities. I know the value of training in math and science, like that provided by AMSTI, and I believe it should be a major component of Alabama's future.

ARI helps improve reading capabilities from the earliest entry into our public educational system. We need to expand this throughout the duration of K-12. As an author, I know we need all of our students to be fully literate, self-led, and well informed on current issues. I believe we should encourage the routine reading of newspapers in all of our high schools, whether in English, Geography, Social Studies, or other classroom settings. This fundamental skill is the on-ramp to all other academic successes. Let's improve literacy in our state, and let's broadly promote the ARI initiatives. Not only should we speak of literacy in terms of literature, but also financial literacy (i.e., money matters). Competency in reading and financial literacy are valuable life skills, that will serve Alabamians well and prepare us for the global economy.
The Leaders

We need adult leaders in our educational systems who have demonstrated professional COMPETENCE and virtuous CHARACTER. We need both! I have been a leader in businesses, academia, and nonprofits, and I am known for both attributes. I want to see our teachers, administrators, and staff be men and women of integrity and altruism, rather than be self-serving and looking only at "what's in it for me". At the end of the day, our task is primarily about effectively educating others. Those who don't want to strive for excellence should be held accountable. Those who lack competence and character should be held accountable. Let's move beyond minimal acceptability and embrace excellence among our leaders!

In addition, many of our students suffer from a profound fundamental sociological problem -- FATHERLESSNESS. In some of our communities over half of the children are raised and educated with little or no positive male "father" figures. In these cases, the responsible adult role models are almost always female -- mothers, grandmothers, and female teachers. These women are picking up more than their share of the heavy lifting. This critical issue of fatherlessness has the detrimental effects of producing economic and educational disparities, and dramatically increases the likelihood of youth ending up on the wrong side of the law. As a father of four, I know that strong families produce strong students.

So, what can be done? The first step in addressing any serious problem is to declare it clearly. I intend to articulate this problem publicly. In addition, I will seek to partially remedy this problem by encouraging responsible male "father" figures from our communities to engage in volunteer MENTORING, and especially at the early years of Kindergarten and elementary grades. As a leader in many spheres of life -- in science, business, and ministry -- I have personally mentored many individuals. I know that mentoring can yield positive outcomes and can overcome societal, mental, and spiritual deficiencies. We need leaders, and especially male "father" figures to rise up as volunteer mentors to our youth. We also need to encourage males to enter the teaching career with an emphasis on elementary education, where few are currently employed. These male mentors and/or teachers can stimulate a culture of hope and of excellence, that can begin to reverse some of the downward spiral of our society.
Workforce Development

As the US economy has slipped backwards over the past several years, the demand for vocational, technical, and community college training has grown substantially. Not every adult is college-bound, so many choose skilled technical career paths that don't require a 4-year college degree. After some training many of them become employed with well- paid and highly desired positions within Mercedes, Honda, UAB, or in the medical field. Some become building contractors, small business owners, or work in the financial services industry. We already have a solid network of community colleges and vocational training centers in Alabama.

As an entrepreneur and businessman I know the value of a highly trained workforce. I was the Co-Founder and original Presiding Officer of the Biotechnology Association of Alabama, the professional trade society for the biomedical research industry of our state. In this role I was an active participant in economic development for the altruistic benefit of the Southeastern region. We need to enhance the interdependence of the post-high school education with economic development efforts. We must have relevant education programs that meet the needs of today's global growth economy.

My breadth of expertise as a leader in business, academia, and nonprofits positions me well to help guide our State Board of Education, which oversees the institutions that fuel workforce development.

Publications:

Books -- Praying Faith, Hope When Everything Seems Hopeless, and Half-Truths are Lies
65 scientific publications