|
| Affiliation | Democratic |
|
| Name | Doug Blatt |
| Address | Blatt for Congress PO Box 1560
Pearland, Texas 77584, United States |
| Email | info@DougBlatt.com |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
October 27, 1965
(58 years)
|
| Contributor | TX DEM |
| Last Modifed | RP
Nov 02, 2015 08:17pm |
| Tags |
|
| Info | * Born in Lansing, Michigan in 1965 to Bonnie and Paul Blatt as the middle child with an older brother and younger sister
* Raised in the small town of less than 5000 people, Eaton Rapids, Michigan
* Attended the First United Methodist Church as a member of the Youth Choir
* Played saxaphone as member of Eaton Rapids High School Marching and Concert Bands
* Served in the Boy Scouts of America, reaching the rank of Life Scout
* Also served in the Explorer Scouts, associated with the local Police department
* Graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1983 as a member of the National Honor Society
o Also attended community college while attending high school
* Enlisted the U.S. Army in 1983, expecting to serve at least 2 years in Europe as a member of the Military Police
o Was injured during training and was discharged from the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge under medical conditions
* Graduated with an Associate's degree in Business Data Processing from Lansing Community College in 1986
o Worked his way through college with part time and full time jobs
* Worked in Information Systems field for 18 years, working sometimes as an employee and sometimes as a consultant for all 3 branches of government at the state and local level and multiple Fortune 500 companies
* Met and married a wonderful woman named Tricia in 2001. How did he get so lucky?
* Tricia and Doug adopted two dogs, Simba and Bagheera, from the humane society shelter
* Started an independent Pack & Ship business from scratch, taking it to profitability in less than 6 months and sold it a year later to return to Information Systems field
* Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix in 2004
* Continued in Information Systems field for the next 5 years
* Graduated with a Master's in Business Administration from Texas A&M University at Commerce in 2009
But here is the more interesting version that Doug wrote about his life...
I was raised in a small town in Michigan, known as "The only Eaton Rapids on Earth." It had a population of less than 5,000 while I lived there. This small town upbringing gave me a sense of community that fewer and fewer people seem to have these days. Pretty much everyone in town knew everyone else, or would probably come in contact with everyone in town during their lifetime. I remember riding my bicycle all over town and several miles into the surrounding countryside and my parents weren't afraid of anything happening to me. I rode my bicycle to the nearby schools, where my maternal grandmother once taught. I rode my bicycle to baseball, Boy Scouts, and church youth choir practice, to little league baseball, basketball, and football practices, and to the store for baseball cards and bubble gum. It was a wonderful place to grow up as a kid but a bit boring as a teenager.
After school, I joined the U.S. Army, expecting to serve in Europe for two years in the military police. Those plans were changed abruptly with an injuring during basic training that sent me home with an honorable discharge. Sense of duty and service to country was a part of my upbringing. Two of my uncles, my brother, and one of my cousins served in the U.S. Air Force and like me, my father attempted to serve but was rejected with medical issues. I still wonder sometimes what my life would have been like if I had been able to continue my service. Would I have retired from the military, like my brother did and cousin will be doing soon?
With my military option gone, I went to college graduating with an associate's degree in business data processing from Lansing Community College. While my parents were willing to help me continue my degree, my independence streak sent me to work instead. Even during those first couple of years in college, I worked part and full time jobs. I started my career as a third shift computer operator but was laid off when the aluminum extrusion plant I worked in closed. I continued to work as a data entry clerk. After finishing my associate's degree, I started working in a medical practice and associated medical instrument distributor as the sole member of the computer staff. I learned a lot about health care and health insurance practices from the years I worked there.
I continued my career in information systems working for the Michigan House of Representatives. This is where my interest in politics blossomed as well. While I worked in a central staff office, I came into contact with many of the Representatives and their staff. Every office, including ours, had a speaker in it for us to listen to the debates on the floor of the House. Most of the time it was background noise, but there were times when it became so interesting that I would have to force myself to get back to my own work. Even though I worked in a central staff office, we worked for a Democratic speaker of the House. That meant we were expected to volunteer for campaign work. I wondered back then what it would be like to run for office myself, instead of just participating in campaign work for someone else.
I left the House of Representatives for greener pastures and big city life. Over the next few years I worked for several Fortune 500 companies in many different industries. As many people have found out over the last few years, especially in my field of work, even permanent jobs aren't necessarily permanent anymore. Whether the executives call it downsizing, a reduction in force, right-sizing, cost reductions, layoffs, outsourcing, or restructuring, to the workers it still means a change in employment. In the information systems field, quite often the only way to remain employed is to take temporary jobs like I did. Temporary jobs aren't all bad. I did get to meet a lot of different people and learn a lot about several different industries. I also learned how to learn a new system or technology quickly; something that comes in handy when researching all types of subjects. I also learned that no one is going to simply hand me a job. I have to work hard to be marketable and then continue to work hard to compete and keep my job.
In late 2000, I met Tricia. We fell in love and got married in the spring of 2001. We bought a house and I finally settled down. A few months later we adopted our two dogs, Simba and Bagheera, both named after Disney characters. We were told that our these 20-25 pound terriers were six months old and would grow to about 35-40 pounds…boy were they wrong. They grew to be 60-70 pounds each and 8 years old now, but we still think of them as our puppies.
After working in the information systems industry for about 18 years, I decided to start my own business. I researched and planned for quite a while before I worked up the nerve to quit my job and start it. It was an independent pack & ship store similar to one of those franchise stores. I started it completely from scratch and made it profitable in less than 6 months. This was a great experience for me. Managing vendors, inventory, payroll, and the books; working with customers to satisfy their needs, and keeping an eye on growing the business. I learned a lot of about running a business but most importantly I learned a lot about myself. I learned two very important lessons. First, my limitations are self-made and much higher than I could have ever imagined previously, and second that try as I might, I cannot do it all on my own. We all need help sometimes and it isn't a shame to ask. I sold the business a year later for more money than I had put into it and went back to work in the information systems industry.
After being let go from one of my jobs because of offshore outsourcing, like many of my co-workers, I had a difficult time finding a comparable job for a comparable salary. I noticed my associate's degree wasn't cutting it anymore. Many possible employers simply threw out my resume because I didn't have a bachelor's degree. That is when I decided to finish my degree, just to have the right to put a line on my resume and be able to compete. I finished my degree during my first few months of trying to get my business going. Even after I went back to work in information systems, I noticed my bachelor's degree didn't make me competitive enough, so I continued my education by completing an MBA. It was difficult working full time and going to school full time, but I managed it because of my newfound realization that I can do anything I put my mind to if I truly work at it.
I doubt there are many in Congress that had the kinds of experiences I have had. I doubt many have been laid off from jobs that they were performing well in, or lived in fear of losing their jobs every time there is a slowing of the economy. Millions of Americans live with this fear every day and I truly understand it and live it with them. I also doubt there are many in Congress that tried to survive on a minimum wage salary. While I didn't have a family to support, there were times when I had to sacrifice to make it to the next pay check. I doubt there are many in Congress that have been faced with not being competitive in a field they have 20 years of experience and needing to get more education or retrain themselves just to remain employable. How many Americans face similar challenges these days? I would say there are millions.
My parents brought me up to respect others, pay attention to current events, and stay informed. My Boy Scout leaders taught me a sense of honor and duty and to be prepared. My teachers and professors taught me to think critically and how to communicate effectively. My information systems development experience taught me how to analyze a problem, design an efficient and effective solution, implement it, monitor results and adjust accordingly. My government leaders taught me what not to do, and helped me come to the realization that I need to get off the sidelines and onto the field.
Endorsements:
AFL-CIO of Texas
AFL-CIO Harris County Central Labor Council
AFL-CIO Gavleston County Central Labor Council
AFL-CIO Tidelands Central Labor Council
Houston GLBT Caucus
Harris County Democrats Club
Fort Bend County Democrats Club
[Link] |
 | BOOKS |
 |
|
| Title |
Purchase |
Contributor |
|
| Start Date |
End Date |
Type |
Title |
Contributor |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
| INFORMATION LINKS |
|
|
|
