Sam Blakeslee
Encyclopedia
Samuel Norman Blakeslee is a Republican
California State Senator
representing California's 15th State Senate district
, a former California State Assembly
man from California's 33rd State Assembly district
, and a former State Assembly Republican
Leader
. He was elected to the California State Assembly
in 2004 to represent the 33rd Assembly District, which includes the coastal communities of Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and Guadalupe. He was re-elected in 2006 and 2008, and elected to the California State Senate
in 2010.
and then began a career in construction. Years later, he returned to school and attended Cuesta College
, where his father, Earle Blakeslee, taught music when the college first opened in 1965. He later earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in geophysics
from University of California, Berkeley
. Blakeslee earned a Ph.D. from University of California, Santa Barbara
for his research in seismic scattering, micro-earthquake studies, and fault-zone attenuation. He is published in numerous scientific journals.
In 1999, Assemblyman Blakeslee authored the successful DREAM Initiative. Passing by 75%, the DREAM Initiative was a countywide advisory ballot measure that sought to create a long-term vision for the future of PG&E's 12 mile scenic coastline known as the Diablo Canyon Lands.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
California State Senator
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
representing California's 15th State Senate district
California's 15th State Senate district
California's 15th State Senate district is one of 40 California State Senate districts. It was most recently represented by Republican Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria, who resigned on April 27, 2010, to become Lieutenant Governor of California...
, a former California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
man from California's 33rd State Assembly district
California's 33rd State Assembly district
California's 33rd State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Republican Katcho Achadjian of Arroyo Grande.-District profile:All of San Luis Obispo CountySanta Barbara County...
, and a former State Assembly Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Leader
Floor Leader
Floor Leaders are leaders of their political parties in each of the houses of the legislature.- Senate :In the United States Senate, they are elected by their respective party conferences to serve as the chief Senate spokesmen for their parties and to manage and schedule the legislative and...
. He was elected to the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
in 2004 to represent the 33rd Assembly District, which includes the coastal communities of Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and Guadalupe. He was re-elected in 2006 and 2008, and elected to the California State Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
in 2010.
Educational Background
Blakeslee grew up on the Central Coast. He graduated from San Luis Obispo High SchoolSan Luis Obispo High School
San Luis Obispo High School, also referred to as "SLO High", is an American public high school in San Luis Obispo, California. It is the only non-continuation public high school within the city. The school is a member of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and serves primarily students...
and then began a career in construction. Years later, he returned to school and attended Cuesta College
Cuesta College
Cuesta College is a public community college located in San Luis Obispo County near the Central Coast of California. It currently offers 76 Associate's degree programs and 96 certificate programs...
, where his father, Earle Blakeslee, taught music when the college first opened in 1965. He later earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in geophysics
Geophysics
Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
from University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Blakeslee earned a Ph.D. from University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
for his research in seismic scattering, micro-earthquake studies, and fault-zone attenuation. He is published in numerous scientific journals.
Scientist
Blakeslee worked as a research scientist at Exxon’s research lab in Texas, where he received a patent for inventing an innovative technique that used medical cat-scan technology to create detailed images of geologic formations. Blakeslee moved into management and became a Strategic Planner, where he was responsible for helping manage Exxon Production Research Co. budgets.Financial Planner
Blakeslee returned to the Central Coast and joined the family company, Blakeslee and Blakeslee. Blakeslee introduced state-of-the-art technologies and systematized the advancement of high client-service standards in financial planning. Blakeslee continues to serve as president of the company, although he has reduced his involvement due to his responsibilities as a legislator.Community Involvement
Prior to his election to the Legislature, Blakeslee served as an elected two-term Trustee for Cuesta Community College. He was first elected in 1998 .In 1999, Assemblyman Blakeslee authored the successful DREAM Initiative. Passing by 75%, the DREAM Initiative was a countywide advisory ballot measure that sought to create a long-term vision for the future of PG&E's 12 mile scenic coastline known as the Diablo Canyon Lands.