Newsroom Archive for 08/13, 2010

Name:  Jason Halbert
Age: 40
Birthplace and/or where you grew up:  Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, NM.  I grew up in many places, but mostly West Chester, PA
Current Digs: Charlottesville, VA
Occupation: Philanthropy
Favorite part about the job: Working with non-profits to solve complex social and environmental problems and seeing results.
Your first job ever?  When I was 8 years old I wanted a fairly expensive bicycle at the time. My parents said I could have it if I saved my money.  All I received was a small weekly allowance for chores.  I quickly calculated that with my pay grade it would take years to buy it.  So my parents suggested getting a job. I signed up for the local paper route and got it.  I got the bike within a few months.
Favorite book? Too many!   Fiction: Watch for Me on the Mountain by Forrest Carter     Non-fiction: Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape, Barry Lopez
Favorite movie?  Harold & Maude
Comfort food?  Chips & Salsa
What's in your car CD player right now (or favorites on your iPod)?  Wilco (the album)
Next journey?  Perhaps to Victoria, BC to see my brother-in-law and sister-in-law as she graduates from grad school.  And then to Uganda in Jan. 2011 to help install a solar system on a community center/school in an area with no electricity.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot?  Canoeing the Rivanna, Shenandoah, or upper James rivers with my family.
First political memory?   At roughly five, my brother and I organized a "protest" against my Mom's smoking. We were ultimately successful (decades later).
Whom do you admire and why?    Nelson Mandela.  His life and achievements are incredible and inspiring.  His ability to lead through persistence and forgiveness is something all people should strive to emulate.
Best advice you ever got?  Work hard and play hard.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why?  Robin Williams.  He’s hilarious and speaks his mind.
Describe a perfect day.  Third day on five day canoe float down a nice long free-flowing river, perhaps in the Ozarks or perhaps in Virginia or West Virginia.  Early fall, just after the first frost.  Cool evenings and mornings, perfect for a fire, but warm lingering summer days still affording a refreshing swim in the river after a sweaty hike. Friends, family, instruments, good food, and easy conversations.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you?  I have a passion for learning about China and want to learn Mandarin.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Yes.

Name: Tiffanny Morris
Age: 27
Birthplace: Harrisonburg
Current Digs: Live in Harrisonburg- work throughout the entire Shenandoah Valley.
Occupation: Small Business Owner: Commercial Cleaning Company, also co-own a small screen printing business.
Favorite part about the job: The flexibility that allows me to spend time with family and doing "extracurricular" activities like Sorensen.  I love the fact that the success that I achieve is only limited by myself, and no one else.
Your first job ever? Barista at Regal Cimemas when I was 16 and I loved every minute of it.  My first "real" job was driving a fork lift at a muffler manufacturer the summer after high school.
Favorite book? "The Simple Truth" by David Baldacci
Favorite movie? "For Love of the Game"
Comfort food? Pork BBQ
What's in your car CD player right now? 99% of the time I have CNN tuned in on XM, although my MP3 player (I don't do Apple) contains everything from The Band, Frank Sinatra and George Strait.
Next journey? Right now I'm concentrating on finishing my undergrad degree, but then it will be on to a Master's program.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot?  Camping at Sherando Lake (Augusta County)
First political memory? Campaigning with my Grandmother for Town Council when I was in elementary school.
Whom do you admire and why?  Cal Ripken Jr.  Everyone can learn something from a person who works for seventeen years without missing a day; all the while being at the top of his game.
Best advice you ever got?  Where there's a will there's a way. - Whenever I start to doubt that something is possible I think of this quote and of all the people who have done great things despite hardships.  It always gives me renewed ambition.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Michelle Obama.  It would be interesting to find out how this past year has been from her perspective.  I also admire that she is taking advantage of the role of First Lady to do positive things (as many First Ladies have also done).
Describe a perfect day.  Any day spent with my husband and son, preferably outdoors and after sleeping in.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I am an avid snowboarder.
Ambition, political or otherwise?  To find an avenue, political or not, that will allow me to have a positive impact on as many people's lives as possible- whether it be fundraising for a non profit or running for political office to represent the under represented.

Name: Michele Zehr
Age: 36
Birthplace: Born in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Grew up mainly in Northern New York (near Watertown) & Oklahoma, but have also lived in Hawaii and Michigan
Current Digs: Charlottesville, VA
Occupation: Advocate for Survivors of Sexual Violence at S.A.R.A (Sexual Assault Resource Agency)
Favorite part about the job: Working "in the trenches" to end sexual violence and witnessing healing take place while supporting and empowering those who have survived it.
Your first job ever? First volunteer job was serving as a "Pooper Scooper" at a dog show at the age of 12. First job for pay was serving tables at a small restaurant when I was 16. I think I was a better pooper scooper.
Favorite book? A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Favorite movie? The Matrix , The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and Apollo 13---all in a tie
Comfort food? Ben n Jerry's "Half Baked" Ice cream
What's in your car CD player right now? Ani DiFranco and Govi
Next journey? I view my life as a constant journey
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Any part of the Appalachian Trail where it runs through Virginia
First political memory? Realizing that President Carter and Carter Peanuts were the same family and I remember President Reagan's Election
Whom do you admire and why? I admire single working parents. I have no idea where they find the energy to work all day and then come home and have the energy to raise children
Best advice you ever got? From my mother, "You can't worry about the stuff you can't change"
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Jim Lovell, the commander of Apollo 13, because he is a man who demonstrated the very definition of a human being at his best during a time when the only other choice was catastrophe, and he became humbled by it, not egotistical or full of himself. I also give this credit to the rest of the crew and would like to meet them all.
Describe a perfect day. Getting up whenever I wake up (with NO annoying alarm!), which probably means 10:00 a.m or after. Then I'd like to take my partner out for brunch and go for a long motorcycle ride together on my Harley on the Blue Ridge Parkway and end up at a quiet log cabin in the woods (void of any technology or cell service) that has a fire pit and stream where we could spend a sunny afternoon enjoying nature and then light a cozy fire after the sun goes down.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I survived a lightening strike in June 2007 while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Virginia.
Ambition, political or otherwise? A major ambition is to maintain balance in my life, regardless of what gets placed before me.

Name: Charlie Keller
Age: 33
Birthplace: Born in Wellfleet, MA. Moved to VA from Kerrville, Texas in 2000.
Current Digs: Arlington
Occupation: Communications Director for United States Congressman Doc Hastings (WA-04)
Favorite part about the job: Learning something new each and every day and being at the center of government, politics and policy for our nation.
Your first job ever? Outside of family, the first job was working two jobs the summer I was 17 on Cape Cod. One was an ice cream and pizza joint during the day, and the other was a restaurant in the evening. My first job ever though was working on a ranch part time for my parents in Texas from about 10 years old on in the summers, cutting trees, hauling brush, fixing roads, and taking care of animals.
Favorite book? Probably The Old Man and the Boy, Robert Ruark
Favorite movie? The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Dead Poets Society
Comfort food? Pizza
What's in your car CD player right now? Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Kevin Fowler, Charlie Robison, Barenaked Ladies
Next journey? Nothing big planned. Up to CT to visit my wife's family for Labor Day.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains with a stop at a winery or two on the way home.
First political memory? Ronald Reagan and the great prosperity he brought to the country throughout his time in office.
Whom do you admire and why? Congressman Lamar Smith. He was my first boss (in my professional life), and the most ethical person I have ever met. He always thinks about what is best for his constituents and works hard every day to uphold their trust in him and his actions.
Best advice you ever got? "The road goes on forever, and the party never ends." - on my wedding day
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? F.W. de Klerk. For a politician to push through racial de-segregation in the face of his own political self interest was a powerful statement to the world. He freed Nelson Mandela, and helped usher in the peaceful end to apartheid and the continued success of the South African nation.
Describe a perfect day. Hunting in the morning with my dad as the sun rises, spending the whole day outdoors with my wife, and then closing it out with a glass of red wine and a Robert Earl Keen concert with my whole extended family.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I (used to) know how to sail a boat.
Ambition, political or otherwise? I would one day like the honor of representing my community in the state house and in Congress.

Name: Raymond A Bell, Jr.
Age: 50
Birthplace: Washington, DC, I grew up in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Current Digs: I Work in Fredericksburg, VA. and reside in Spotsylvania, Virginia
Occupation: Pastor
Favorite part about the job: Preaching and Teaching
Your first job ever? Newspaper route where I delivered the old Washington Star in the Metro DC area.
Favorite book? Failure: The Womb of Success by Dr. Samuel Chand
Favorite movie? A Few Good Men
Comfort food? Potatoes, Popcorn and Corn chips
What's in your car CD player right now? Smooth Jazz
Next journey? To complete the Sorensen Program and then enter the Candidate Training Program.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? I love the Blue Ridge Mountains and the scenic skyline drive area.
First political memory? Hosting a political coffee in my parents backyard.
Whom do you admire and why? I admire former President, Bill Clinton because of his humble upbringing, how he overcame struggles, and his willingness to persevere.
Best advice you ever got? Just be myself and serve gracefully in my lane.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? I would love to meet and have dinner with Mrs. Robert Johnson, Co-Founder of BET Communications Network. I am impressed with her political and business savvy. More importantly, her philanthropic giving for diverse causes.
Describe a perfect day. I cannot describe a perfect day, but a good day for me is to complete or fulfill all planned tasks for the day with time to spare for a little rest and relaxation.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I am really a shy person.
Ambition, political or otherwise? To be a state delegate to the Virginia General Assembly and eventually the United States Congress.

Name: Dave Butler
Age: 52
Birthplace: Born and raised in Oswego, NY, outside of Syracuse. Snow country!
Current Digs: Live in Leesburg, work in Sterling. Both in Loudoun County.
Occupation: Chief Security Officer for N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc.
Favorite part about the job: Seeing evidence of information security awareness among the employees, knowing that I'm making a difference.
Your first job ever? I had a Sunday paper route when I was 11. I would fill my wagon with the newspapers at 5:00am and drag them all throughout the neighborhood.
Favorite book? Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter. The Lord of the Rings is a close second.
Favorite movie? Star Trek IV (or Star Trek II? Star Trek III? Star Trek?)
Comfort food? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
What's in your car CD player right now? Audio books. Helps make the daily commute easier. Mostly from David Baldacci and Stuart Woods.
Next journey? In July, taking my two sons to Canada. They've never been outside the U.S. before.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Visiting my niece and her family in Floyd. Beautiful family, beautiful country.
First political memory? Getting public water down my street 20 years ago. Found out people can get really wound up about something that I thought would be an easy sell.
Whom do you admire and why? Fred Shaufeld, my company's Chairman and Founder. He took $79 and started a company, essentially in his dorm room. The company now has over 5,800 employees, and the $79 has turned into "quite a bit" more. Fred has always focused on customer and employee satisfaction, and still is active in the company. I'm not normally easily impressed, but I sure couldn't have done what he's done.
Best advice you ever got? Always question whether it's worth it to be right if you are likely to lose a friend.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Probably Bill Clinton. I would love to know what it's really like being President, and how you cope.
Describe a perfect day. Sleep late. Eat pancakes for breakfast. Play outside with my sons. Go to a Nationals game with them and my wife. Catch a foul ball.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I've been to way more than my life's quota of Operas.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Wherever it takes me; wherever I can add the most value.