Comite Central del Condado, Distrito 68 — Partido Republicano del Condado de Orange

I have owned a business in Orange for over 20 years that provides private pay in-home care services for elderly and disabled individuals throughout Orange County. You can learn more about it at www.ColonialHomeCareServices.com. I am a resident of Anaheim Hills, where my wife and I have been homeowners for 20 years. We have two high school aged boys, a sophomore and a senior, who attend Canyon High School. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from California State Polytechnic University of Pomona (now I can fix the printer and make sure the network runs at my office). I am a life-long Republican, going back to a time when I had the opportunity to see President Reagan speak during a campaign rally while I was still in high school.

I became involved in politics about 10 years ago, simply out of necessity for my business. This was at a time when my industry came under fire by labor unions, who leveraged their control over Sacramento legislators to push for overreaching regulation to stifle growth and unionize the industry. I stood up to fight it. I became a Board member for my state and national trade associations representing private in-home care services, and before I knew it I was embroiled in the center of many legislative battles that continue to this day.

I learned the political process as an outsider - as someone whose clients and employees were adversely affected by the never ending onslaught of bad regulations coming out of Sacramento. Compelled to make a difference, I led and continue to lead grassroots efforts that have brought many victories for home care. I have worked on legislation, testified in legislative committee hearings, negotiated with the Legislative Analyst's Office, the Attorney General's office, and even the Governor's office. In some degree I act as an unpaid lobbyist, but I do it for the right reasons - on behalf of my industry, my colleagues in home care, our employees, and the elderly and disabled clients we serve.  

Locally, I am the immediate past Chairman of the Board for the Orange Chamber of Commerce, and I chair the Chamber's Legislative Action Committee. I support many community organizations, including the Community Foundation of Orange, the Tustin Boys and Girls Club, and the Canyon High School Foundation.

Through my advocacy work and civic involvement, I have achieved several awards and recognitions, including:

• 2010 & 2011 Grassroots Advocacy Award from the California Association of Health Services At Home (CAHSAH)

• 2013 Small Business of the Year for the 37th Senate District, awarded by then State Senator Mimi Walters (now Congresswoman)

• 2013 Small Business of the Year for the Orange Chamber of Commerce

• 2014 Lois C. Lillick Award from the California Association of Health Services At Home (CAHSAH), the association's highest honor

Oh - and I'm also a three-time and current champion of the Pumpkin Launch competition hosted by the Discovery Science Center.  Gotta have a little fun now and then.

I know what it takes to run a successful business. I can bring that experience to the Republican Central Committee of Orange County. It is my desire to promote policies and endorse candidates that will create jobs, lower taxes, reduce regulations and grow the economy - shifting the focus from social issues that have driven away voters to the things that really matter to Republicans today.

Republican voter registration in Orange County is at an all time low - just 40%, down from 55% 25 years ago. In the same time period, "decline to state" registration has grown from 10% to 24%. We need to turn these numbers around - and quickly - if Orange County is to remain under Republican leadership.

The Republican party has done a commendable job in recent years to bring in new voters from minority groups, most notably with Asian-Americans, but that is not enough to restore the ranks party. If the Central Committee continues to promote the hard-right social views of yesterday, we will continue to lose our core voters. We need to focus more on fiscal and economic issues, and less so on the social issues. I have my own views on the social issues, which are completely in line with traditional Republican values, but my will should not be imposed on all others who may not feel the same. We cannot survive as a party who is only welcoming to those whose personal beliefs are all in alignment. 

I have seen too many times Republicans fighting among each other to prove who is the "most Republican" or the "most conservative" candidate in an effort to garner an endorsement from the Central Committee. Ironically, it is those candidates who can accomplish the least, minimized to being labeled as "extremists." Instead, we need to attract and promote the best candidates - those who will be able to get the job done on behalf of their constituents without compromising on core Republican values. And, the party cannot be splintered and must unify behind them.

One of the key reasons Orange County is such a great place to live and raise a family is that the overwhelming majority of local office holders, such as city council members and school board members, are Republicans. The Central Committee has done a tremendous job in getting Republicans elected to local offices, and we cannot let that slide. If Republicans lose control over local budgeting, labor negotiations and pension reform, our property taxes and sales taxes will inevitably increase to cover out-of-control spending.

I was the second born son to John and Aneta Sarega. My parents escaped communist Romania in 1986 and where granted political asylum to the United States. My father fought against the communist government and was forced to escape or face death. Given the life experiences of both my parents, they raised their children to cherish and fight for the freedoms we all enjoy in our great nation. Among these freedoms is the ability to practice one's faith without interference from the government. I was raised in a Christian home and was taught from a young age strong morals and values. 

Today I serve the community of Newport Beach as a police officer and daily fight to preserve the security and safety of that community. More so today than ever before, I see the core values of our nation being attacked from every direction and unfortunately so many good people fear fighting back. My goal in running for the Republican Central Committee in the 68th District is simple; I want to fight for the conservative values that have made America the great nation we are today. 

Currently I am also a proud business owner and work harder than most to realize the American dream. With the constant invasion of government into the coffers of not only individuals, but small businesses alike we need individuals that are willing to protect us from an overbearing government. I believe it begins with education and I am proud to have obtained not only my Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, but also a Master's in Public Administration. I firmly believe that through education people will begin to realize how dangerous a big government can be and how the conservative values can once again restore us to greatness. 

Michael Parham was born and raised in California first becoming involved in community service at age 12, as a student member of the committee working on parcel tax issues after the passage of Prop. 13. An Eagle Scout, Michael attended Dartmouth College where he double majored in Economics and Russian Language graduating with honors. He received his MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, and also became a licensed CPA.

Michael went on to earn FINRA Series 7, 24, 63 and 79 securities licenses while working in the financial services industry in New York. Michael started a boutique investment bank in 2009, and previously was Managing Director of the Energy Services Group at McGladrey Capital Markets where he honed his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and audit. Michael spent 12 years in New York City in the M&A departments of Peter J. Solomon Company, Credit Lyonnais Securities, Daiwa Securities and the international audit group at Deloitte & Touche.

Michael Parham has worked with public and private stakeholders overseeing transactions ranging from $10 million to $2 billion. As CEO of Black Viper Energy Services, an MWD services provider based in Midland, Texas Michael oversaw a successful interval of business expansion that positioned his company as a leader in the industry. He is currently Chairman of Title XI Software, based in Irvine.

Michael and his family returned to California and settled in Irvine in 2002 where his children attended elementary school in the Irvine Unified School District. In 2003 he served as Plaza Vista PTA President (K-8). In 2004, with an extensive business and accounting background, Michael became a valued addition to the Irvine Unified School Board.

He became President of the IUSD Board in 2008 and was reelected again in 2012 allowing him to spearhead efforts that have expanded the reputation of excellence in Irvine while saving taxpayers over $20 Million through the “Green Team Initiative”. In 2009 his leadership helped the IUSD to receive the prestigious District Leadership Award at the Green California Schools Summit & Exposition.

Michael and his wife know the importance of quality education for every child. Michael has a daughter in college and a son who is a senior at Northwood High School. The Parham family also has two young children beginning the schooling process in a dual-immersion Spanish program.

Michael Parham is honored to be running for Orange County Board of Education while also working to ensure the passage of the IUSD (SFID) Bond to bring more than $200 Million to our schools throughout the district, upgrading school facilities while creating a more equitable learning environment for all. As a member of The Orange County Board of Education Michael Parham will be able to continue his commitment to expanding quality educational opportunity for all students throughout Orange County.