Candidate for
Board Member; City of Santa Rosa High School District

Wally Lowry

Candidate for
Board of Education
Santa Rosa City Schools

BIOGRAPHY

Forty-three years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant has given Wally Lowry a well-developed expertise in financial matters. Concurrently, in addition to his strong professional knowledge, Wally has been a full-time classroom teacher for 32 years and served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 29 years, reaching the rank of Navy Captain. He also dedicated his talents to civic activities for decades which has given him a unique grasp of the needs of business, education, and government.

Born in Chicago, Wally's family moved to Pacific Grove in 1944. He graduated with an AA degree from Hartnell College and a BA degree in Economics from Stanford University. Wally married his wife, Ellie, shortly after he graduated from Stanford. He then did graduate work at Golden Gate University. Following active overseas duty in the Navy, the Lowrys moved to Santa Rosa in 1961. They have two daughters, Cynthia and Stephanie. In 1967, Wally started his own C.P.A. practice while teaching and completing his MBA degree from the University of California - Berkeley two years later.

Beginning in 1969, Wally was a Professor of Business Administration at Sonoma State University (SSU) and was recognized with an "Excellence in Education" award by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. He was the first Director of the Wine Business Education Program, which is the only known program of its kind in the world. In May of this year Wally received the honorary recognition of Professor Emeritus.

During this time period Wally's service in the U.S. Naval Reserve was distinguished by receiving the Defense Meritorious Service, Joint Service Commendation, Navy Commendation, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation medals. In his final five years, he was the Commanding Officer for three separate commands.

Wally believes true citizenship requires community involvement. Past president of the YMCA, he was recognized for Dedicated Service and Leadership. After 10 years as Board Treasurer of the Sonoma County Museum he was honored this year by emeritus Museum recognition. Wally is currently the Chair of the City of Santa Rosa Redevelopment Agency and Board Chair of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. He is past president of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa, past Chair of the City of Santa Rosa Housing Authority, past Board Treasurer for the Redwood Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America, as well as board director for several other non-profit organizations. Wally is a Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce member and a longtime supporter of activities for local non-profit agencies.

Lowry's two children were successfully educated in the Santa Rosa City Schools and now the five local grandchildren are receiving a public school education with the oldest in a Santa Rosa Middle School. Wally's wife, Ellie, was the principal at Doyle Park Elementary School for 15 years preceded by several years as a reading and curriculum specialist for the Santa Rosa Elementary School District.

You will be able to count on WALLY LOWRY to be your Board of Education representative dedicated to providing all children with equal access to a quality education.

My WEB Page is as follows: http://www.wallylowry.com