Michael Allman
Michael Allman is a member of the San Dieguito Union High School District school board in California, representing Trustee Area 4. He assumed office on December 11, 2020. His current term ends on December 13, 2024.
Allman ran for election to the San Dieguito Union High School District school board to represent Trustee Area 4 in California. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Allman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Michael Allman was born in Wyandotte, Michigan. He earned a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University in 1982 and an M.B.A. degree in finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1985. Allman's career experience includes working as a chemical engineer, business analyst, consultant, business executive, CEO, and board member.[1][2]
Elections
2020
See also: San Dieguito Union High School District, California, elections (2020)
General election
General election for San Dieguito Union High School District school board Trustee Area 4
Michael Allman defeated Jane Lea Smith and Amy Caterina in the general election for San Dieguito Union High School District school board Trustee Area 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Michael Allman (Nonpartisan) | 42.3 | 7,507 | |
Jane Lea Smith (Nonpartisan) | 40.5 | 7,181 | ||
Amy Caterina (Nonpartisan) | 17.2 | 3,056 |
Total votes: 17,744 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Pratima Gupta (Nonpartisan)
- Heather Dugdale (Nonpartisan)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 52
Incumbent Scott Peters defeated Omar Qudrat in the general election for U.S. House California District 52 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Scott Peters (D) | 63.8 | 188,992 | |
Omar Qudrat (R) | 36.2 | 107,015 |
Total votes: 296,007 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 52
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 52 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Scott Peters (D) | 59.0 | 98,744 | |
✔ | Omar Qudrat (R) | 15.3 | 25,530 | |
James Veltmeyer (R) | 11.4 | 19,040 | ||
Danny Casara (R) | 4.6 | 7,680 | ||
Michael Allman (R) | 3.9 | 6,561 | ||
John Horst (R) | 3.4 | 5,654 | ||
Jeff Cullen (R) | 2.4 | 4,027 |
Total votes: 167,236 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Alexander Miller (D)
- Freeman Michaels (Independent)
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Michael Allman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Allman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|Michael Allman is an accomplished businessman and entrepreneur, having successfully led both large and small companies in the energy and software sectors.
From 1998 to 2012, Mike held a number of leadership positions with Sempra Energy, a Fortune 300 energy holding company based in San Diego, California. His most recent position was Chairman, President and CEO of Southern California Gas Company, the largest natural gas utility in the United States. Prior to leading the Gas Company Mike was the President and CEO of Sempra Generation, a pioneering electric generation business where he started the utility-scale solar power industry and built one of the largest wind and solar power businesses in the country.
Mike has served on the Board of Directors of numerous public and private companies. In 2017 Mike founded Voterfied, a software company using blockchain technology in constituent management systems for political office-holders and candidates. Mike was a candidate for US Congress in California's 52nd District in the 2018 election cycle. He is a strong supporter of public education, including STEM education.
Mike received an MBA with Finance specialization from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University.
- ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE - Academic excellence focuses on achieving the maximum development of each student's capacities and nurturing their potential and talent so they may develop the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and character to succeed in a technologically advanced world. TO ENSURE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WE MUST BE COMMITTED TO THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT OF EACH STUDENT. THIS MEANS THAT WE: Provide a safe school environment that fosters positive character and individual accountability, Nurture the development of the social and emotional skills necessary for academic growth, Create productive citizens who think critically and make informed decisions, Value individuality and encourage all to achieve their best
- BUDGET ACCOUNTABILITY - To continue to meet the educational goals of our students, we need to ensure the long-term financial viability and sustainability of our district. FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY NEEDS TO UNDERPIN ALL OF OUR ACTIONS. WHEN MANAGING THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF OUR DISTRICT, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE: Work towards a sustainable budget that protects the investment in our schools, Prioritize limited financial resources to achieve the largest impact on student performance, Ensure continued high levels of investment in and out of the classroom so that teachers and students have the support and the best technology tools they need to do their best work, Provide transparency to the parents and community members
- COMMUNITY COLLABORATION - A successful school district is engaged with the local community, especially parents. This involves clear and consistent communication, honesty at all levels, and open and transparent decision making. Transparency and clear communication are the hallmarks of a well-managed school system. As a member of the Board of Trustees, I pledge to focus on academic excellence, budget accountability and community engagement as the fundamental pillars of our school system, to ensure that our students are prepared to become responsible citizens and lead purposeful lives.
• Public Education, especially STEM education
• Energy
• Emerging technologies, especially cyber security
• High speed internet accessibility
I look up to Bill and Melinda Gates. He broke new ground and was a visionary who changed the world. By creating Microsoft, and all of the products they since delivered, they have created literally trillions of dollars of value add to the world's population. The most recent chapter of their lives has focused on philanthropy. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has already donated billions of dollars to worthy causes, especially world health- and education-related initiatives. In addition, Bill and Melinda Gates have signed The Giving Pledge where they pledge to give away the majority of their wealth in their lifetime or in their wills.
I am a critical and analytical thinker, work extremely hard, and can understand the nuances of complicated issues and how they affect the different points of view of all of our constituents.
I have always been a persistent and analytical thinker with a fond admiration for Math and Science. At Michigan State University, I received a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, making me the first in my family to earn a four-year college degree.
I paid for my education by working as a field hand, union factory worker, and busboy among many other jobs. These experiences taught me the value of hard work and a good education. I then continued my education and earned an MBA with a specialization in Finance at the University of Chicago.
I have had multiple executive positions with years of managing employees. As CEO and Chairman of the Southern California Gas Company, I was responsible for 7500 employees. I understand the responsibility of listening to differing points of view, building a strong and cooperative team, and then leading the organization in a successful direction.
The board is charged by the community to set priorities, establish policies, and evaluate the district operations. The board should support the superintendent and hold them accountable in achieving the agreed goals and desired results. A well-run board will maintain a close and positive working relationship with the superintendent that is based on mutual trust and respect. The board will rely on the superintendent for advice and information but should not micro-manage the implementation of policies. Also, the board should not hesitate to ask questions as goals and results are evaluated. It is extremely important that the board consists of independent trustees. I will be an independent board member, and place the needs of students and their families as my top priority. I will not be beholden to any special interest group.
I remember the Moon Landing of Apollo 11 when I was eight years old. The wonders of what people can accomplish using new technologies and an exploratory spirit has never ceased to amaze me. The quality of the education of our students, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), is key to breakthroughs that will inspire children today to become our leaders of tomorrow.
I picked blueberries for an entire summer when I was 13 years old. I wanted to buy a bike, but my parents told me I would have to earn the money for it myself. I learned how hard this work is, but I stuck with it because I knew it would be up to me to earn the money for the bike.
One of my favorite bands is the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band and I love the song "Deja Voodoo." Kenny Wayne's guitar riffs and lead singer Noah Hunt's gruff blues vocals combine for a powerful sound. If you haven't heard this song, I highly recommend that you take a listen and tell me what you think.
Our objective as a school district is to provide the best education that we can for our children. In meeting that objective, a school board Trustee has defined responsibilities.
The board is elected by the community to set priorities, establish policies, and evaluate the district operations. A well-run board will maintain a close and positive working relationship with the school superintendent that is based on mutual trust and respect while remaining independent and free from conflicts of interest . The board should support the superintendent and hold them accountable in achieving the agreed goals and desired results. The board will rely on others for advice and information but should not be in the position of micro-managing the implementation of policies. The board should not hesitate to ask questions as goals and results are evaluated. A good Trustee also listens closely to the parents and community members in their district as they are also stakeholders in the success of a well-run district.
The San Dieguito Union High School District has approximately 13,500 students who of course, are our primary constituents. Our school system, however, touches everyone in the district through their property taxes, businesses and other connections. Everyone who lives within the district is a constituent of the school board.
Every group has a specific set of needs that must be understood and respected. The key to achieving this is open and clear communication. In my experience, problems arise when a group is ignored or dismissed by those who are in a position to make a difference. I'm committed to transparency and open, civil dialogue.
I am reaching out in a variety of ways. Every person and group can be reached through a number of methods. I have a continuing dialogue with:
Parents of students currently enrolled
Students
Teachers, staff and administration
Business owners
Taxpayers, and
other Residents
I have a unique platform that I created, called Voterfied. It was specifically developed to offer a back and forth dialogue to parents and residents in the district. We often see a disconnect between those in elected office and their constituents. It's not always easy for constituents to tell their elected officials how they feel about important issues. Voterfied poses questions to residents and encourages them to vote on issues and send comments about how they feel.
Diversity is important, and teachers and staff should reflect our community. The board's role is to communicate that priority to the superintendent and staff as they recruit for new hires. We live in a desirable district with an excellent reputation and ratings. Faculty, staff, and the administration have generous contracts which attracts the best candidates.
The quality of education can be negatively affected by:
Poorly managed financial resources and/or lack of high quality and fully equipped teachers.
Every organization needs to live within a budget and school boards can ensure that as much of that budget as possible ends up in the classroom where it can have the largest impact on the quality of children's education.
The single largest factor in determining the quality of children's education is the quality and dedication of their teachers. School boards can facilitate the hiring and retention of high quality teachers by offering not only an attractive pay and benefits package, but also a positive and supportive working environment.
Good teaching starts with teachers who are enthusiastic, well-trained, dedicated and supported by the administration, staff, school board, parents, and community. Everyone contributes to the teacher's success. These strategies can be measured by teacher retention and feedback to the board through formal and informal communication, and ultimately the success of students as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.
As a businessman with over forty years of experience, I have found the most valuable skills to be a combination of technological and interpersonal capabilities.
I am a believer in the importance of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our society moves forward with application of technology.
It is also important to have the skills to communicate clearly and succinctly to advocate for an idea or initiative.
An objective of our schools should be to instill these skills in our students and a desire for lifelong learning.
Not everyone follows the same path, but every student should have the choice to follow where their skills lead them. A high school diploma should reflect that the student has achieved a skill level to indicate that they will be productive in their chosen career or field of work.
Our high schools should provide multiple paths for our students' success. Just as each and every student learns differently, each may have a different path to life's success. Many students will continue to further their education through college, and others may earn success through technical training, apprenticeship, or a vocational program. We should expand our relationships with trade organizations to provide meaningful educational and vocational opportunities to students who choose this path.
Another innovative program I have seen in practice is an introduction to entrepreneurialism. The enthusiasm and excitement I saw in the classroom was inspiring. These programs can be available to schools at no cost.
Although the amount of money the district receives in taxes from the government is largely out of the board's control, we do have a responsibility to the students and taxpayers to ensure that the money we do have is spent optimally. I have been the CFO and Chief Audit Executive for a Fortune 500 company, so I understand budgets, financial reports, and the importance of fiscal responsibility.
The safety and social/emotional well being of our students must remain a top priority for our school board. As we are reopening schools in this COVID-19 crisis, we must carefully consider the impact of our decisions on the health and well being of students, families, teachers, and staff.
The social/emotional well being of all of our constituents is more important now than ever. Social isolation is a growing problem, resulting in increased cases of depression. Mental health services on campus need to be easily accessible so that any student or other person on campus can access high quality mental health services.
As a technology entrepreneur, I have seen the impact that technology has had on numerous industries. The education industry is no different, and can benefit from adopting current technological advancements to improve the educational outcome of our students. It is important that we choose the right technologies and applications to optimize learning, and my experience will help the board evaluate our options.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Michael Allman participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 24, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Michael Allman's responses follow below.[3]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
“ | 1. Immigration/Sanctuary State We need to protect our borders, gain control of our immigration process, provide a safe environment in our communities, and find a solution for the millions of undocumented people in our state. 2. Health Care 3. Homelessness |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
“ | I am passionate about ensuring our individual freedoms, restoring federalism to our government, and promoting the benefits of free-market capitalism. Each person has the right to live their life in any way they choose, so long as they respect the equal rights of others. Unfortunately, the government has continued to intrude in the lives of ordinary Americans. The government tells us where we send our children to school, if we can add a room to our house, how much water we can use, what we can eat and drink, and the list goes on and on. Adult individuals have the right and the responsibility to make important decisions about their own lives. As your Congressman, I will fight for the rights of the individual, and extend the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution. Our country’s founders specifically created a federal government that has limited power, leaving most governmental authority with state and local governments. They understood that a government that governs closest to the people governs best. But over the years our federal government has grabbed more and more power, stretching the Constitution to a point where it is nearly unrecognizable. The result is out of control spending, crippling taxes, and ever-increasing debt. More people than ever say the federal government has too much power. I will fight to dramatically shrink the size and scope of the federal government and return fiscal sanity to Washington. Free-market capitalism has proven to create more wealth and provide for more individual needs and wants than any other economic system known to mankind. It rewards hard work and ingenuity, and supports democracy and individual freedom. Yet many people are seduced by proposed socialist policies that promise free education, subsidized housing, rent control, free medical care, and other empty promises. But there is no such thing as a free lunch. As Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said, “The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.” As your Congressman, I will fight to reduce taxes and regulations, encourage the formation and growth of businesses, and adopt sound economic policies to improve the circumstances of all Americans.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[5]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Michael Allman answered the following:
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
“ | An elected official should have intelligence, a strong work ethic, integrity, humility, and the fortitude to fight for what is right. I am an engineer by training, have an MBA from a leading business school, and have been in business for more than 35 years. I know how to get to the root of a problem, identify potential solutions, and most importantly implement actions that lead to improved outcomes for our country. It is important for elected officials to listen to their constituents and truly represent their voters. When elected to Congress, I will have the strength to fight for what I think is right, but the humility to cede my personal views to those of the voters if they tell me, loudly and clearly, that they disagree with my stance on an issue. This seat belongs to the people, and I will ensure that the people’s voice is heard.[5] |
” |
“ | I am a businessman, engineer, and entrepreneur, and I am experienced with technology. I can understand complicated issues and make sense out of disorder. I ask questions until I can get to the bottom of an issue, and then use creativity to identify potential solutions. Using my analytic and technical skills, I am able to find what is likely the best alternative to a problem that can be implemented in a practical way. My business experience has taught me how to negotiate to a common understanding, and then take action to get things done. I can be tough when I need to be, and I am not afraid to stand up to authority when the situation requires it. These and other skills I have developed over my lifetime of broad and diverse experience will serve me well as a member of US Congress.[5] |
” |
“ | I was raised in a small town in western Michigan, where my parents taught me that if you wanted something, you had to work for it. My first job was when I was 12 years old, picking blueberries for 12 cents a pound. After a good, hard day’s work, I might earn $7 to $10 for the day. I don’t think I ever made more than $15 in a full day. I worked at that job for 3 or 4 summers in a row, until I was able to get a driver’s license and get a job as a dishwasher![5] | ” |
“ | The House of Representatives is the “people’s house.” It is meant to be the true representative house of Congress, the one that has its pulse on the will of the people. That is reinforced by the way the system was created in our Constitution. All representatives are up for reelection every two years so that they can stay close to the will of the people. Unfortunately, our political system has evolved to a point where even the representatives in “the people’s house” don’t listen to their constituents. Incumbents have a large reelection advantage, which means many of them can get away with ignoring the needs and desires of their voters. I will be a different kind if Representative. When elected to Congress, I will have strength to fight for what I think is right, but the humility to cede my personal views to those of the voters if they tell me, loudly and clearly, that they disagree with my stance on an issue. This seat belongs to the people, and I will ensure that the people’s voice is heard.[5] |
” |
“ | No, it is not necessarily beneficial for representatives to have political experience. It is often exactly the opposite. All too often our representatives in Washington are career politicians who have lost touch with workers and business owners. It is important that our government representatives understand the challenges faced by workers and business owners, and this becomes more and more difficult the longer someone has been out of the private sector. We need more people with business experience and less professional politicians in Washington.[5] | ” |
“ | I have experience in energy, technology, finance, and business. The most value I can add would be with committees such as Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Science Space and Technology, Small Business, and Financial Services.[5] | ” |
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Candidate San Dieguito Union High School District school board Trustee Area 4 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on May 21, 2018
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 6, 2020
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Michael Allman's responses," May 24, 2018
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.