Election 2013: Steven Vena

Campaign Info

• Position sought: Center Cass School District 66 Board of Education
• Residence: Downers Grove
• Website: http://vena4d66.com

Personal Info

• Family: Wife Jana; sons Vincent, 13, and Benjamin, 11.
• Education: Columbia College Chicago, 1994, Bachelor of Arts; College of DuPage, 1992, Associate of Arts
• Occupation: President/chief creative officer, Nimble Group, Inc.

Candidate Questions

Why are you running for this office?

I am passionate about education and learning in both my personal and professional life. Being a parent in the district, the opportunity to assist with my children’s learning environment is very attractive.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

I would like to be instrumental in continuing the district’s tradition of excellent, well-rounded academics. My goal would be to support the needs of our educators, its students, and facilities — ensuring continued sustainability through timely and responsible actions.

If your race is contested, what sets you apart from the other candidates?

My professional expertise is in marketing communications. As an accomplished designer I operate my own brand marketing agency and have a majority interest in two other businesses. As such, I am keenly aware of budgets, near term positioning and the need for long term planning. In the education arena, I served on the School Board at Our Lady of Peace School in Darien for 4 years, serving 3 of those years as President. During this time I was also invited to be a candidate for the Joliet Diocesan School Board. I have been involved in promotions for a Charter School on Chicago’s West Side over a period of 7 years. I also provide marketing consulting for a youth leadership organization supporting the Cicero-Berwyn area high schools. In other civic duties, I am the Treasurer of the Bruce Lake Home Owners Association.

Is there any other information pertinent to your campaign that you would like to add?

Please refer to my professional profile on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stevenvena/

Also, please follow my Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steven-Vena-for-District-66/439978252743053