Candidate for
Trustee; Sacramento City Unified School District; Trustee Area 6

Darrel Woo's drive to succeed and serve the community stems from the values instilled upon him by his parents. His father, Harmon Woo, immigrated to the United States from China, where he met and married Pearl Wong-Woo, Darrel's mother. Growing up the son of two working-class parents, Darrel realized early in his life the importance of higher education. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in 1969, Darrel attended Sacramento City College, ultimately obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Darrel later graduated from Lincoln Law School, passing the California State Bar in 1994.

Continuing his passion and commitment to education, Darrel began teaching classes at Lincoln Law School in 2001. For over 9 years Darrel has educated and trained students to become lawyers in Sacramento. Many of Darrel's students have gone on to serve as attorneys in state and local government, non-profit agencies and business. Darrel is well known in the legal community for his commitment to the profession and the great relationships he has developed with his current and former students.

Wanting to instill the value of education on future generations, Darrel established the annual Woo Family Scholarship in 2001. The scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving applicant who is currently enrolled or pursuing either college or career technical education. Applicants are selected based on their commitment to community service and financial need.

In addition to teaching, Darrel works for the State of California, where he has served over 30 years. He has worked as an Energy Facility Siting Planner for the California Energy Commission, Staff Counsel for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and he is currently employed as a Senior Staff Counsel for the California Department of Insurance. He is a proud 30-year union member, currently represented by the California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in State Employment union (CASE). Prior to being a member of CASE, Darrel was a member of bargaining unit #1, SEIU Local 100.

Darrel is perhaps best known in Sacramento for his commitment to community service. He has served as President for the Asian Bar Association (ABAS), Asian Pacific State Employees Association (APSEA) and the Asian Pacific State Employees Association Foundation (APSEA Foundation). In 2009 Darrel was elected the first male president of My Sister's House - a non profit organization addressing the needs of women and children impacted by domestic violence. He served as legal counsel for Health for All, was a law advisor for Save Our Corner, and currently serves as General Counsel for the Organization of Chinese Americans - Greater Sacramento Chapter (OCA-GSC). From 2004-2009, Darrel served on the City of Sacramento Planning Commission, where he served as Vice-Chair in 2007 and Chair in 2008. Darrel was appointed to the City of Sacramento Parks and Recreation Commission in 2010. His community involvement extends beyond Sacramento, as he was recently honored with the opportunity to serve on the Locke Management Association Board of Directors and the Locke Foundation Board of Directors in 2009.

Darrel and his wife, Nancy have lived in the Greenhaven/Pocket Community since 1969. His daughter Alyson, attended all public schools in the Sacramento City Unified School District and graduated from Kennedy High School in 2002, Sacramento City College in 2005, and U.C. Merced in 2009. A proud husband, father, and community servant, Darrel Woo is seeking election to the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education in November 2010.