Candidate: Gene Brown

D. GENE BROWN 318 32nd St W Bradenton FL 34205 (941) 745-5815 bggrr85@aol.com Background: Personal history, education, occupation, family, etc. Graduate of Bayshore High School, Bradenton, 1985. Attended Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC, 1985-1986 (Lettered Varsity Football both years). Manatee Community College, Bradenton, FL, A.A. Degree 1987; Graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services, Atlanta, GA, A.S. Degree 1989. Vice President/COO of Brown and Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 1989 to present. Married to Gina (Bassitt) Brown since June 1989, 2 children, Ryan 20, Rachel 18. In what community organizations have you been active? DeSoto Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and Past President 1989 to 1997. Board Member of the Year, 1997. Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County Corporate Board Member from 1993 to present. Board President 2003 - 2005. Chairman of Christmas Tree Lot 1995 to present. Past Chairman of Finance Committee and Operation Committee. Palmetto Pines President 2003 to present. Florida Area Council Board Member of the Year 2000. Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Medallion Award 2006. Member and Chairman of City of Bradenton Police Pension Board from July 1992 to December 2000. Merit Board Member and Chairman for City of Bradenton 1995 to 2000. Community Service Officer with City of Bradenton. Citizens Police Academy graduate. Member of Sheriff\'s Advisory Committee. Past Member of Bradenton Kiwanis Club. Member of Manatee Chamber of Commerce & Better Business Bureau. Yule Fest Committee for Lighted Holiday Decorations on Bradenton\'s Riverfront. Coached for Manatee West Little League, Manatee Girls Softball, Manatee Twisters Travel Softball, Manatee High School Football 2006 to present and Bradenton Christian Lady Panther Varsity Softball 2010 to present. Manatee High School Broadcasters Board of Directors and Radio Crew from 1989 to present. Manatee High School Booster Club President 2001 to present. Jesse P. Miller PTO Past President and Past SAC Chairman. Manatee High School SAC Committee. Florida Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors Member 1999 to 2005. Trinity United Methodist Church Member, current member of Memorial Cremation Garden Committee, past member of Administrative Board and Finance Committees. Why are you running for this office, and what qualities and skills do you bring to this position? With today\'s economy in mind, I feel that with my business background I can help lead the city into the future. I would like to work to bring more business to our city to make it a destination place for people to visit and hopefully one day move into. What do you see as the most important issues facing this office, and how would you deal with them if elected? With shrinking income and a need for expanded services, I believe my experiences can help me make the city a better place to live.