About Joel
Born at Kern General Hospital (before it was a fancy-dancy “Medical Center”) and educated in local schools (Frank West Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Curran Junior High, and South High School), I left Bakersfield in 1974 for Dartmouth College in New Hampshire — sure I would never make my home here again.
But — as you know – life is full of twists and turns. I ended up moving back home after college, marrying high school classmate Arlene Lozano Heinrichs, and settling into a wonderful public sector service career. After 14 years of increasingly responsible County positions (culminating in my appointment as County Administrative Officer), I left the public sector to manage Internet “start up” Lightspeed Net for my old friend, Rob McCarthy. I had always intended to have a “second career” in the private sector – though I had not expected it to happen so soon or so fast. Lightspeed Net was sold to OneMain/Earthlink, and after a brief stint living on the Central Coast, we moved home so I could take on the CEO position for Lightspeed Systems.
In addition to an active professional life, Arlene and I are blessed with a wonderful daughter – Kat. A junior at Stockdale High School, she gives us a brilliant window into the high school world. Lots of social trends are new – but the fundamentals of growing, learning, and maturing are timeless in many ways. (See Kat’s blog here: http://youthphoria.wordpress.com)
My dual career in the public and private sectors, extensive experience teaching and volunteering at a number of different educational institutions, and parental experiences — provide me with a unique perspective on our public education challenges. This perspective will enable me to expand our local efforts to improve school quality, which is critical to Kern County’s economic growth and quality of life.
For more specific information about my professional background, please see my Bio.
For more information about the campaign, my views on current educational issues, etc. – please take a moment to navigate through the site.
OR – shoot me a question via joel@joel4KHSD.com.
Thank you for your interest in our students.
September 30, 2006 at 7:58 pm
Hi Joel,
I am an English teacher at Golden Valley High School, and am happy to be voting for you in November. More to the point, I went to South with you and Arlene, and although we did not particularly hang out together, I did have some classes with both of you, and EVERYBODY knew you and Arlene anyway: you were both so active in the student body. My name was Kathy Redmond back then. I was pretty quiet, and only a “leader” or talkative in my little domain: the choir and South High Singers. Funny to me that I talk all day in front of others for a living now!
Good luck with your campaign!
October 1, 2006 at 7:44 am
Kathy:
Thanks for the support – and for saying nice things about us “back in the day”!
We really enjoyed our experiences at South High School — and hope we can be a small part of facilitating those kinds of experiences for students today.
Arlene also became a teacher – but no surprise in “motor-mouth’s” case!
Joel
October 2, 2006 at 11:41 am
Hey Joel!
Congratulations on your life after high school. As you know from the stage we shared at the Principal Partners Luncheon a few years ago, I recall meeting you during my first year of teaching at South (in your senior year). You were, then, a flash of energy, passion and drive! Nothing’s changed. No wonder your company is called “Lightspeed!” It was fun to see you and hear you at the Principal Partners gathering and I knew then you were one of KHSD’s best supporters. The Board needs your good sense, your passion, insight and creativity. You have my vote! Sorry to miss the gathering at the Hatchers, but I’m teaching that evening at the Bakersfield Adult School.
All my best,
Ron McCraw
October 2, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Ron:
Thank you very much for the support – and the kind words!
Together – students, teachers, parents, and community members – can make great things happen for our high school students.
Joel
October 5, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Hi Joel !
I used to work at Lightspeed Net from 1997-1999. I loved the way you ran things then and I’m sure you’ll do a great job now. You are a wonderful person and very pleasent to talk with. I wish you all the best !!!! And I miss Lightspeed Net !
October 5, 2006 at 2:08 pm
Alyce:
Thank you for the support!
Growing Lightspeed Net into the great company it became (before the disasterous sale to OneMain.com — sorry former customers!) was truly a joy. It was great fun leading such a talented, fun group.
Joel
October 9, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Hiya Joel!
I am a teacher at Ridgeview High School and a site representative of the Kern High Faculty Association. I just wanted to thank you for stopping by our meeting last week and introducing yourself – even though we only heard from you for a few minutes, I was instantly impressed with your committment to teachers, vocational education and career tech programs (I am an agriculture teacher). I’m doing all I can to spread the good word about you, and I wish you luck in your campaign!
Joia
October 11, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Joia:
Thank you for the support.
Please check out our “VOC ED NOW!” Plan for more information on ideas to improve the career and technical skills of our graduates.
Joel