Corporate Politics to Congressional Politics

I may have no "elected official" line items on my resume, but I have almost 25 years of structured problem solving and political experience in a large global organization. My experience has focused on solving technical and organizational issues in the auto industry that has helped my employer "close the gap" in vehicle quality to any and all competitors. This statement is supported by recent J.D. Power Initial Quality Surveys. Unfortunately, I was not involved in the business office where the tough decisions were not handled effectively.

Structured problem solving is the science of using relatively simple techniques to identify the root cause of a problem and propose cost effective solutions. Industry has several names for this process "Lean Six Sigma" and "Red X Methodologies" are but two of many. The common thread is to fully understand the customer's expectations, translate them in to product or process characteristics, and then determine the most efficient means to meet those expectations. I believe this strategy can be applied to government as well. Whether the topic is health insurance reform or border security, a structured approach to the problem will provide a solution that most can support.

My work has included forging consensus among different plants, vehicle platforms, and even global regions. Often my work has been to present a draft solution and then lead the consensus building between the various stakeholders involved or to take a collection of proposals and shape them into one coherent solution that can be widely applied. I believe these skills are indeed applicable to working in Congress to help all understand the root cause of our problems and build consensus around solution options.

During my all to frequent business travels, in lieu of playing tourist, I would read books and articles on economic policy, one of my several hobbies. I believe that through the internet and self education, there is no reason to be uninformed on any topic one chooses to pursue. I believe I have acquired a significant understanding of the science of economics and its application to government policy. The bottom line is that massive government spending did not cure the depression in the 1930s and will not work today. We need a different course.

In summary, the challenges facing our country today are serious, but not impossible. It will take people of passion, courage, and the experience at solving complex problems to deal effectively with the issues. This is why I ask for your support.