| BIOGRAPHY Dale Kooyenga is a Republican candidate for Representative for the 14th Assembly District. He grew up the oldest of four siblings on the south side of Chicago in a blue collar family and neighborhood. He attended Chicago Christian High School and went on to attend Moraine Valley Community College. Dale played basketball at Moraine Valley and was subsequently recruited by Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI where he played NCAA Div III basketball and graduated with honors.  Dale moved to Milwaukee in 2001, passed the Certified Public Accounting exam, and began working for a large international accounting firm. During his career as a public accountant he worked with the State of Wisconsin's largest manufacturing, health care, financial services and not-for-profit organizations. Dale is also a graduate of Marquette University's Masters In Business Administration program. In 2005 Dale temporarily left his career in public accounting to serve his country. He attended the United States Army's basic training, rigorous Officer Candidate School and the Military Intelligence Officer Course. After completing the year long Army training Dale returned to his career in public accounting and married Jennifer Smith. Dale was called up for service in Iraq in 2008. Although trained as a Military Intelligence Officer, Dale was quickly assigned as the 4th Infantry Division's Officer in Charge of Economic Development in Baghdad. Dale served in Iraq from January 2008 to November 2008. The team in charge of economic development created thousands of jobs by utilizing a combination of mircogrants, introducing foreign investors and working directly with Iraqi small, medium and large business. In addition, Dale was credited in convincing the Iraqi government to adopt $84 million in projects that were previously going to be paid for by the US taxpayer. Dale was part of a team that realized an 80% decrease in significant hostile acts from January 2008 to November 2008. Dale was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Dale continues to serve as an Officer in the United States Army Reserve in addition to working full time as a CPA and enjoying his role as a husband and father. Dale and Jennifer now have two children, Grant, who was born while Dale was deployed in Iraq and Taylor  who was
born September 2009. Their family attends Brookfield Christian
Reformed Church where Dale participates in worship by playing the
trumpet. Dale declared his candidacy for the Wisconsin State Assembly 14th district November 2009. "As a father of two young children, I want to ensure that Wisconsin is as good to them as it has been to me. My experience as a businessman and soldier will allow me to make a difference in Madison from the first day. Ensuring a top notch education for our children, a growing economy for our workers, and lower taxes for our businesses are essential to bring Wisconsin forward." Dale Kooyenga is a member of the United States Army Reserve. Use of his military rank, job titles and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement from the Department of Defense or the United States Army. |
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