Dean Willard was a candidate for the Seattle Port Commission, fifth position, in 2011.Warren Kagarise Councilman, school board members face challengers Snow Valley Star, June 10, 2011
Biography As a senior in high school, Willard interned with Alaska Attorney General Wilson Condon.Jake Lynch Behind the scenes guy from Sammamish now in the spotlight of state politics Sammamish Reporter, Jan 05, 2010 Willard attended Brigham Young University in Idaho.
From June 1993 to July 1995, Willard was the Vice President of Perception Management, a public relations and political campaign consulting company. He was responsible for information technology functions. In August 1995, he was a Partner and Technology Consultant at Accenture and stayed there until October 2006, where he then became the Vice President of Enterprise Information Security at T-Mobile USA. In 2008, he left T-Mobile USA to start his own IT Security consulting business, working as a technology management and information security consultant.J.B. Wogan Another Democrat joins race against GOP incumbent Issaquah Press, January 26, 2010
He is married to Dorothy Willard.Pine Lake resident to run for legislative seat Issaquah Reporter Dec 23 2009
Politics Behind-the-scenes work As a member of the 5th District Democrats, he has been a district committeeman, and the chairman of the King County Democrats endorsements committee.Jim Brunner Mallahan showing some momentum? Seattle Times, June 23, 2009 Willard worked behind the scenes on several campaigns including Joe Mallahan's recent Seattle mayoral campaign.Jim Brunner and Jonathan Martin Joe Mallahan: Candidate built a reputation as T-Mobile's idea manSeattle Times October 11, 2009 Willard managed Oregon Democratic State Rep. Tim Josi's 1990 political campaign, and served as his legislative assistant during his freshman term for the 1991 session.Mara Brown, 1991 Oregon Legislative OCZMA - Sea Grant Fellowship Final Report Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association, Inc. (OCZMA) Oregon State Sea Grant Program, July 1991
2010 Campaign for state representative Willard challenged the incumbent, Representative Glenn Anderson, for position 2 in the 5th Legislative District on the grounds that the constituents are not well represented in the all-Republican district. The district has changed over the last ten years since his opponent was first elected.Challenger enters race against Rep. Anderson Issaquah Press Dec 22, 2009 His platform issues includes tax reform and funding for schools. He has criticized the current tax system as over-reliant on sales taxes and as regressive. He has also criticized the Business and Occupation Tax, calling it unfair to small businesses, and stated that exemptions on property tax often favor large businesses. Willard says that K-12 basic education is in a very poor state due to the lack of proper funding. Willard cites his corporate and entrepreneurial experience as a means to solve the state's ongoing budget crisis, with stated goals of promoting economic development and improving the public school system.Warren Kagarise Sammamish candidate launches bid for state House seat Issaquah Press, December 14, 2009 Willard was endorsed by the 5th Legislative District.Warren Kagarise, Local Democrats endorse hopefuls in state House races Issaquah Press, February 23, 2010
2011 Campaign for Seattle Port Commissioner Willard ran against incumbent Republican Bill Bryant but lost by more than 20 percentage points. Will "Walkin' Will" Knedlik withdrew from the race.Eric Mathison, Update 2: Only 1 withdrawal in Highline council races The Highline Times, June 20, 2011 Willard had endorsements from the 5th Dems and the 37th Dems.
Community service Willard is on the board of directors for the Seattle Youth Symphony, the steering committee for Treehouse for Kids Golf Tournament, and the Washington Community For Self-Help Gala.
See also Washington State House elections, 2010
References
External links Dean Willard official campaign website Dean Willard, Pos 2 5th District candidate statements Dean Willard's Campaign Contributions "Dean Willard to challenge Glenn Anderson in 5th District" - Sammamish Review