Congress - Jill Derby

Party: Democrat

Place of residence: Gardnerville

Occupation: Educator

Age: 66

Contact information:

info@jillderby.com

www.jillderby.com

Incumbency: Candidate for office

Education: University of California, San Francisco, 1962: BS dental hygiene

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1970: BA cultural anthropology

University of California, Davis, 1974: MA cultural anthropology

University of California, Davis, 1988: Ph.D. cultural anthropology with an emphasis in Middle Eastern studies

Record of service: In 1988, I was elected regent for the University and Community College System of Nevada. I have had the pleasure to serve the students and teachers of Nevada's higher education system for the past 17 years. My service on the non-partisan board has given me the unique opportunity to develop an independent and common sense approach to problems. I was chairwoman of the Regents for three terms and vice chairwoman for two, in addition to serving on the Diversity Committee, Research and Student Affairs Committee, and working diligently to bring satellite campuses and distance learning opportunities to rural Nevada.

Honors:

n National Women's History Month-UNR Recognition Award

n Who's Who in the West

n Women Leaders of Nevada, UNLV Women's Center Gala

n Woman of Distinction Award, Soroptimist International of Carson City

n Woman Helping Women Award Sierra Nevada Region, Soroptimist International of the Americas

n Woman Helping Women Award, Soroptimist International of Carson City

n Nominee for Nevada Women's Role Model Award, 1999

n Nominee for the National Trustee of the Year Award, 2004

Platform: I am a fourth-generation Nevadan and started life on my family's Flying Flapjack Ranch in Lovelock. I grew up in California, where my father trained pilots for the Air Force, and my family continued to spend time every year at the ranch in Lovelock and at Lake Tahoe.

My first degree was in dental hygiene and after graduation I took a job with an American oil company in Saudi Arabia. During my time in the Middle East, I learned Arabic and still speak a bit of it. This experience sparked my interest in cultural anthropology.

I have spent my career as an educator, teaching at Western Nevada Community College, Sierra Nevada College, the National Judicial College and the University of California, San Francisco. I'm running for Congress because I'm fed up with career politicians who put special interests and party loyalty ahead of doing what's right for the country. My campaign is focused on living up to the promises made to veterans, ensuring a secure nation, a sensible energy plan, affordable prescription drugs, accessible health care, and a fiscally responsible government.

My values are right off the ranch, where people talk straight, look you in the eye, and mean what they say. And that's what I will bring to Washington. If you like how things are going, then I'm not your candidate. But if you want to see change in Congress, then I would appreciate your vote.