L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive

L. Brooks Patterson is beginning his fifth four-year term as Oakland County Executive after winning re-election in 2008 by another large electoral margin. As the chief elected official in one of America’s most affluent and progressive counties, Mr. Patterson presides over a nearly $820 million dollar recommended annual budget for FY2010 and a county workforce of nearly 4,000 full and part time benefit eligible employees.

During the 16 years of the Patterson administration, Oakland County government has earned respect from Wall Street for its solid tax base and sound financial policies by attaining and maintaining a coveted AAA bond rating, which only 34 of the nations 3,200 counties have received.

Innovative programs Mr. Patterson has launched include:

	Mandarin Chinese Mr. Patterson, noting the challenges presented by China’s emergence as a world economic power, called for Oakland County to be the first county in America to teach Mandarin Chinese in just about every public school districts. Educators responded and today the Mandarin Chinese language, history and culture are being taught in school districts throughout Oakland County.
	Emerging Sectors An initiative focused on identifying the top ten emerging and promising business sectors for the new economy of the 21st Century that Oakland County might be able to attract for future job growth and long lasting economic stability. Companies in these emerging sectors are involved in such cutting edge technologies as biotechnology, nanotechnology, wireless communications and alternative energy.
	Count Your Steps A pedometer walking program to target childhood obesity that involves providing pedometers to 30,000 third and fourth grade students in Oakland County’s public, private and charter schools.  All money is raised through private donations; no taxpayer’s funds are involved.
	Successful Health Care Cost Containment Initiative Under Mr. Patterson’s leadership, Oakland County is the first county in America to have fully funded employee and retiree health care while saving taxpayers over $150 million.
	Medical Main Street New initiative designed to make Oakland County a “medical tourism” destination by attracting patients, investment, medical supplies and clinical research from around the world.
	Economic Growth Alliance A collaboration between Oakland, Genesee, Livingston and St. Clair Counties on joint opportunities for economic growth, diversification and legislation that may impact the four counties.
	Technology Oakland County named #1 in the Digital Counties Survey of Counties over 500,000 in population by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo).
	Automation Alley, southeast Michigan’s premier high-tech consortium which Mr. Patterson founded in 1998, now boasts a membership roster of more than 1,000 companies. Automation Alley has received the President’s “E” Award for excellence in exporting presented personally by President George W. Bush during a White House ceremony.
	Mr. Patterson’s Employee Suggestion Program has generated more than $5 million worth of taxpayer savings since 1993 while his Casual Day Program has distributed nearly half a million dollars to local charities over the past 16 years. (Neither involves taxpayer funds.)
	Mr. Patterson founded Arts, Beats & Eats in 1998.  The four-day family-oriented fun-fest in downtown Pontiac features great food, wonderful music and extraordinary art.  The event, ranks as one of the top 10 Art Fairs in America.
	Mr. Patterson also established the Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5K Race which attracted some 4,000 participants in its inaugural debut on October 5, 2008 at Oakland University in Rochester.  The race is named in honor of his son, Brooks Stuart Patterson, who was killed in a snowmobiling accident.
	In the 1980’s Mr. Patterson established The Rainbow Connection which grants wishes to terminally ill children. Mr. Patterson serves as president of the organization.

	The Michigan Chamber of Commerce Annual Award for Distinguished Service and Leadership for spearheading a successful statewide petition drive to repeal the Single Business Tax and for exemplary service as a local government official.
	Named by Government Technology Magazine as one of the Top 25 individuals in America in 2006 for “pushing the boundaries of government as usual.”
	2007 Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.
	Bloomfield Hills Rotary Foundation 2007 Distinguished Community Leader Award.
	Two Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters: one from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant (2009) and another from Kettering University in Flint (2006).
	Lighthouse Humanitarian Award (2004).
	Corp! Magazine Man of the Decade (2000).
	Arts, Beats & Eats Foundation Quality of Life Award (2003).
	Automation Alley CEO Legend of the Year (2003).
	2005 Visionary Award from the Michigan Department of Information Technology for leadership support of technology initiatives.
	Champion for Children Award from Region 9 (Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties) of the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA).
	Named “World Trader of the Year” in 2005 by the Detroit Regional Chamber for his significant contributions to promote international trade in southeast Michigan.

Contact Information:

2100 Pontiac Lake Road
Executive Office Building – 41W
Waterford, MI 48328
Telephone: 248-858-0480