National Convening Program Books 2015 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 87

YEO Bios Craig Rice County Councilmember Germantown, Maryland Craig Rice is a county councilmember from Germantown, Maryland. He is the current council president for the Montgomery County Council. His political career began in fall 2006 when he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, defeating a 12 year incumbent. In the legislature, he served on the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Fiscal Revenue subcommittees. In 2010, Rice was elected to his current position, which made him the youngest African American to ever serve on the nine member council, and only the second African American man to ever serve in that role. On the council, he serves on the Education and the Health and Human Services Committees. Prior to holding elected office, he worked for Marriott International, Aramark Corporation, and as a business development manager for the government of Puerto Rico. @RicePolitics Mike Richards County Board Member Champaign, Illinois County Board Member Mike Richards serves as the chairman for the Champaign, Illinois county board. Previously he has worked as political director for Congresswoman Robin Kelly in her 2010 State Treasurer race, and campaign manager for David Gill in 2012. As a board member, Richards has worked with the General Assembly to pass legislation which expands early voting and makes possible same-day voter registration. He is president of the Illinois Association of County Board Members and a vice president of his state political party’s youth chapter. @mrocketrichards Naima Ricks Board of Education Member Roselle, New Jersey YEO National Convening | 2015 Naima Ricks moved to Roselle, N.J., at the age of two and in 2014 was elected as the youngest member of the Roselle Board of Education. She is now the board’s vice president and serves as the chairwoman of its Policy Committee and Buildings and Grounds Committee. Ricks earned her bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University and her master’s degree in college student personnel administration from Seton Hall University. Ricks currently works at Fordham University as a counselor for the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). These programs are designed to prepare minority and economically disadvantaged scholars for careers in scientific, technical, health-related and licensed professions. 86