Candidate for
Council Member; City of Port Hueneme

Norman E. Griffaw

Place of Birth: Sandusky Ohio Date: December 8, 1963

Norman Griffaw is a problem solver and is able to quickly ascertain the root causes on issues ranging from the simple to the very complex, whether it be from personal conflict to equipment failure. His experience and know-how make him the go-to guy for everyone from co-workers to high-ranking officials. He was nominated to participate in and recently completed Ventura County Leadership Academy, Class XI. As an inventor, Norman has a patent on a lubricant that stops corrosion on metal surfaces and is presently working on a device to assist disabled people in retrieving items from shelving they cannot reach.

Raised in a small town in Ohio called Vermilion with his two older brothers Melvin and Johnny, Norman's interests included riding bicycles and getting dirty, along with going to school and trying to be a good son to his mother and father. He also enjoyed studying martial arts. Norman graduated from Vermilion High School in 1983 and enlisted in the Navy's delayed entry program.

On June 2, 1983, Norman began his Navy career, attending boot camp at Great Lake Illinois Navy Training Center. While at boot camp, Norman was introduced to members of the Seabees and decided to become a heavy equipment operator. Norman was placed with the Seabees following boot camp, transferred to CBC Port Hueneme, and soon rose to the top of his class. Upon graduating from Equipment Operator School, he was given a choice of duty stations. Norman selected Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and he spent three very productive years learning his craft and obtaining the rank of Equipment Operator Third Class. He was then transferred back to CBC Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion Three in 1986, where he soon advanced to Equipment Operator Second Class. During the two-year tour with Battalion Three, Norman was deployed to Puerto Rico, Okinawa, Japan and was chosen to be the team leader for a large pier project in Bermuda. Unfortunately, Norman was injured in a training exercise and discharged from the Navy in 1989.

Norman loved Port Hueneme so much he decided to make it his home. He worked for various companies outside of the government but discovered his call was to serve his country, and so he secured employment with CBC's Morale, Welfare & Recreation Department. Soon after that he was hired as a federal police officer at NAS Point Mugu. While serving as a police officer, Norman attended night school at Oxnard College. After completing the necessary coursework, Norman earned a State Certificate in Environmental Technologies. Approximately two years later, CBC Environmental Department hired him to work in hazardous waste field operations. Norman excelled in this field becoming the lead environmental inspector in a very short amount of time. He was promoted to the Pollution Prevention Program Manager position, and at the same time, began serving as the National Association of Government Employees Local Union R12-29's President.

As the Local Union President for six commands and thousands of personnel, Norman resolved many issues, while bringing management and labor closer together. This resulted in a happier, more productive work force, even with reduction in forces happening each year. He was able to work with management to find employment for almost every displaced employee. Norman loved serving his co-workers in a positive manner. Soon after his four-year term he was promoted to his present position as Naval Base Ventura County Hazardous Waste Program Manger.

Norman married to his wife Dawne in June of 1993 and they have a five-year-old daughter named Hailey. In keeping with his strong commitment to public service and as a way of giving back to his adopted hometown, Norman now seeks election to the Port Hueneme City Council.