Candidate for
Member, Democratic Party County Central Committee; San Luis Obispo County; Supervisorial District 2

Dr. Akey PhD (Dave) is a retired research scientist from the US Department of Agriculture. In 2003, He received an Honor Team Reward from then Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman for work combating the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter that threatened the California Wine and Grape Industries. Also, in 2000, he received a USDA Certificate of Merit award for developing Biorationals ("environmentally friendly insecticides", some used in organic farming) and for development of Integrated Pest Management against the Sharpshooter/ Pierces Disease in California.

He came from a strong union family and promoted the Democratic Party while in grade school in 1950; in 8th grade he supported Adlai Stevenson. In high school, as a member of a Democratic Youth Club, he traveled on the "Chicken Dinner North Midwest Circuit" with Hubert Humphrey. In college, he supported Jack Kennedy. He was active in the successful Wisconsin campaigns that supported Nash for lieutenant governor and Nelson for governor, and then Nelson as a US Senator. As an undergraduate, he was active in the civil-rights movement in Tallahassee, FL, 1957-1962. In graduate school and then in his professional career, he was active, to the extent allowed by the Hatch Act (1966-2003); e.g., he supported Shirley Chisholm and stumped for Eugene McCarthy. During his 30-yr federal career, he supported his wife's caucus work.

Dave retired to Los Osos, CA in 2004 and joined the El Moro Democratic Club (EMDC). He is the current president of the EMDC. He was appointed to the San Luis Obispo County (SLO) Democratic Central Committee in October, 2007. Currently, he volunteers at the county office weekly. He recently attended the California Democratic Party and the California Democratic Council 2008 conventions.

In the past four years, he established a park block watch program in Sea Oaks Mobile Park where he resides, became Civilian Emergency Response Team trained (CERT), and is active in his church. Dave is a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) where he served on the SLO chapter board and was a past treasurer.

Dave Akey has been married to Pat (O'Reilly) Akey for 45 years, has four children, and four grandchildren. As a youth, he received the Eagle-Scout award, and as an adult leader, founded a troop, was active in district events, and taught survival training to adult leaders. He enjoys sailing and is a past member of the USPS.