Candidate for
Mayor; City of Antioch

Gary Agopian was born in Los Angeles, California on April 28, 1957 to the proud parents, Samuel and Nancy Agopian. He was the first of five children and as the oldest of three sisters and a brother, Gary became the role model for his siblings.

In 1975 Gary graduated with honors from Northview High School in Covina, California. In school Gary was an academic athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and track. He even earned the honor of being named to the All-League Honorable Mention football team.

After high school Gary attended Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California before transferring to Citrus College in Glendora. At Citrus College, Gary received his Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts in 1978, graduating with honors. Gary then enrolled in Azusa Pacific College where he earned his degree in Business Administration in 1980, again graduating with honors.

After college, Gary was accepted into the competitive National Management Training Program with Sears. He then went on to a successful career with Sears advancing in the organization over the next twenty-four years.

Among his numerous career achievements, Gary has received National recognition. Some of the most fulfilling positions he achieved at Sears included: Regional Merchandise Assistant Manager where he was responsible for buying and placing merchandise in stores through out the Southwest Region; Store Manager at several locations in the Bay Area and Arizona; and District Human Resource Manager where he was responsible for more than 3,000 Sears Associates in 18 stores. Gary has also worked for Sears in Window Fashions, a $250 Million dollar business, as their Corporate Sales Promotion Manager and was responsible for national marketing.

Gary completed his successfully retail career by managing stores for Best Buy from 2000 until 2003. In that year, Gary made a career change, moving into the real estate business with Coldwell Banker. As a Realtor, Gary has been recognized numerous times for his sales production. Gary continues in the real estate industry today.

One of Gary's passions has been to help improve the community and quality of life where he lives. In 2003, the opportunity to serve on the Antioch Economic Development Commission became available. He was appointed and served for three years influencing commercial development that has brought good paying jobs to Antioch and the region.

Soon, in 2004, he was asked to run for elected office. After much consideration, Gary made the decision to run for the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees. He was elected and has been serving on the Board of Trustees for the past four years. On the Board of Trustees, Gary has served as Board Vice President and Board President.

It was Gary's passion for improving his community that helped him to make the decision to run for the Antioch Unified School District Board for at that time the district was facing some very difficult challenges. Because of financial mismanagement, a fiscal advisor and a fiscal recovery plan had been established by the State and there had been Grand Jury reports on fiscal issues. In addition, School academic performance had slipped significantly and parents were concerned about the safety of their children both at and after school.

As a candidate for the Antioch Unified School District's Board of Trustees, Gary set some high standards and goals. Through Gary's leadership and ability to establish and excel in collaborative relationships, both on and off of the Board, those goals have been achieved. Today, the School District is no longer under care of a state appointed fiscal advisor and fiscal recovery plan and has been recognized as having the best fiscal record that is obtainable.

With Gary's attitude that positive change comes from initiative, collaboration, and determination, the School District has established programs that empower parents and students. Dozier Libbey Medical High School and Delta Performing Arts Academy are just two prime examples of Gary's vision and care for the future of our community. Both innovative schools opened for the fall session in 2008.

Integrity, honesty, and reputation were among the traits that inspired the "Character Counts" program of the School District. School uniforms, safety, and an environment that encourages children to learn garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from parents and community leaders. Gary's willingness to do what it takes helped to ensure that the School District went from insolvency to excellence which prompted two of the district's schools to be nominated as California Distinguished Schools.

Then in 2010, Gary decided to run for the Antioch City Council to put his knowledge and experience to work to help solve the problems and meet the challenges our community is facing. Through his leadership and action, the City was brought back from the brink of bankruptcy, and is now adding back 13 sworn Police Officers and 5 Community Service Officers to help improve the safety in our neighborhoods, schools and businesses.

In addition, the Council was able to secure concessions from the Police Officers and other employee groups, who now pay more towards their retirements and accepted a lower cost tier for future hires, as well, saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Gary is running this year to bring his vision and leadership skills to the position of Mayor of Antioch, to provide the positive direction our city needs. He will work to reduce crime, improve our economy with local, well-paying jobs, improve our transportation system, improve our home values and keep a tight rein on city finances.

The fact that he works in Antioch makes him available, accessible and attentive to our needs and concerns.

Gary and his wife, Robin, have been married for twenty-five years and they have three children. Their daughter, Heather just got married and serves in the Air Force Reserve. Their sons, Corey and Jason are in college. When the busy Agopian family schedule permits, they enjoy camping, sports, and visiting the historic and scenic areas of America.

Gary and his family moved to Antioch 17 years ago, attracted by the community's affordable housing and East County lifestyle. His desire to improve the quality of life for friends and neighbors has meant that Gary is always ready to serve.

Gary's solid record of achievement and service make him the best candidate to bring leadership to the City of Antioch. Working collaboratively with the other council members while taking the initiative to balance the budget, reduce employee costs, while providing more police to improve public safety and protect home values, Gary has proven he is the leader Antioch needs. He will put to work the same hard work, ethics, integrity, and honesty that helped turn around the School District, as Mayor of Antioch.

To learn more or to help Gary win, call him at (925) 754-9485 home or (925) 978-0938 cell, email Gary at garyagopian@comcast.net or visit his website http://www.garyagopian.org

To make a financial contribution to Gary's campaign, please mail your check to: "Gary Agopian for Antioch Mayor 2012" 4809 Shavano Peak Court, Antioch, CA 94531

Thank you for your support!