1) Leadership education from WEST POINT.
2) Practical military knowledge and experience as a United States Army officer.
3) Numerous accomplishments as an entrepreneur.
4) Several years of business experience as a small business owner.
5) Background in finance with real life experiences as a professional money manager.
"Interest is not enough. You have to have passion." - Robert Mondavi
The Governor of Colorado is the CEO of the state. I believe that I have the required skill set to lead Colorado forward. I am the only candidate that has numerous years in the private sector - specifically in three areas: entrepreneurship, business, and finance. Colorado, we need an entrepreneurial minded fiscal conservative business person with a finance background as Governor of Colorado in order to slash spending, reduce our debt, balance the budget, and get businesses hiring and growing again. We need to do this right now! We cannot wait another 4 years. Based on my applicable qualifications, experience and background, I believe that I am the best leader for Colorado during these tough economic times.
The Governor of Colorado is the Commander in Chief of the Colorado National Guard. I am the only candidate with prior military experience and a leadership education from WEST POINT. The Purpose of the United States Military Academy is to provide the Nation with leaders of character who serve the common defense. Our nation is at War. The Colorado National Guard is serving, and God help us, dying in this War. Colorado is one of the largest employers and home to numerous military personnel. Colorado, we need someone with prior military experience and expertise in the Governorship to ensure we are doing all that we can for our fellow Coloradans - those who live, work, and call Colorado home.
"Such a politician might not win, but he or she will be respected. Actually, let me amend that. Any politician who can communicate strength, originality, and a vibrant humanity - and who has the confidence to celebrate the occasional Turnip Day - probably will win....and so will we." - Joe Klein, Politics Lost
I have been a proven Patriot, American, Coloradan, Leader, and Winner my whole life. Colorado needs a leader to make the right decisions right now. Colorado needs a winner to remain the best state in the union leading America in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, business innovation, and home to the most spectacular skiing and snowboarding areas in the world!
A proven leader at WEST POINT, graduating with honors as a Distinguished Wreath Recipient - marking high achievement in academics, military, and physical fitness. Received a BS degree in Business Management & Systems Engineering. WEST POINT exists to produce leaders of character for our nation. The Purpose of the United States Military Academy is to provide the Nation with leaders of character who serve the common defense. Proving the worthiness and competence of this American institution was most recently marked by Forbes Magazine ranking WEST POINT the #1 College in America (Y 2009).
A proven leader in the US Army, leading a combat ready Armored Scout Platoon of 30+ soldiers equipped with M1A1 tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. As a US Army officer I received numerous awards, and noteworthy accomplishments including top scores on field maneuvers, gunnery, and my entire platoon's physical fitness.
A proven leader in the US Army, leading a combat ready Armored Scout Platoon of 30+ soldiers equipped with M1A1 tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. As a US Army officer I received numerous awards, and noteworthy accomplishments including top scores on field maneuvers, gunnery, and my entire platoon's physical fitness.
A proven leader in the private sector, owning and operating my own business, Clark Brothers Investments (o/ Clark Bros, Inc.), which I alone started from scratch on August 31, 2005. Starting, owning, and operating my own company during the worst decade for the stock market in the history of the United States (including the Civil War era and the 1930's) is by far my biggest accomplishment. In addition, this was done during a time period when the US government has been using my tax dollars - both personal and business - and giving it directly to my competition (referencing the Wall Street bailouts).
A proven leader in the investment community, working in numerous areas of finance to include: investment and portfolio management, the insurance industry, estate planning, financial planning, institutional equity, private equity, venture capital, as well as several entrepreneurial start up ventures - Sunset Shores, Inc., APlaceForMom.com, Ranek's Gym & Sports Training, USA Computer Link, and Clark Brothers Investments.
"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it's on a football field, in an army or in an office." - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States of America
My job specific experiences for Governor of Colorado are as follows:
I have an extensive entrepreneurial, business, and financial background. I know what entrepreneurs, small businesses, and businesses of all sizes from a variety of industries need from the government of Colorado to be highly innovative profitable tax generating entities for our state. When I started Clark Brothers Investments in 2005, I recognized that Wall Street was biased, greed driven, and would eventually fail - as it did referencing the Wall Street bailouts. This is why I started Clark Bros. - to be a truly Independent financial services firm that has a business model that would allow us to always act in the best interest of our clients (i.e. the people).
I have a leadership education from WEST POINT with practical military experience. This is a must for a Governor in charge of the Colorado National Guard in a time of War. Coloradans are fighting and dying in the War in the Middle East. We must recognize this selfless service, honor the fallen, and take care of our wounded warriors. Additionally, the domestic pressure to suppress, uncover, and incarcerate home grown radical Islamofascist terrorists has never been greater.
I have spent my entire private life after military service in the finance sector. An acute and practical real life understanding of finance, economics, and numbers is absolutely essential during the worst recession in America's history since the Great Depression. During these trying times it is essential that Colorado elect a Governor who understands all aspects of finance so we can balance the budget, pay down our out of control debt, and position Colorado for the economic opportunities of the future.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President
