Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Birthplace and Date: Gaston County, 2/4/39

Married: Linda Summey Hoyle

Children: Lonnia H. Beam, David (Dave) Hoyle, Jr.

Grandchildren: Matthew Beam, David (Will) III and Blair Hoyle

Education:
Dallas High School ('57)
The Citadel ('57)
Lenoir-Rhyne College, BA, 1960
Lenoir-Rhyne College, Honorary Doctor of Laws, 1983

Religion:
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Dallas, NC
Former Chairman, Church Council
Former Sunday School Teacher
Former Chairman, Stewardship and Pulpit Committees

Professional Background:
DWH Investments (1985-present)
Founder/President - Summey Building Systems (1960-1985)
Board of Directors, The Shaw Group - Baton Rouge, LA
Chairman of Board - Citizen South Bank
Former Board Member - Ti Caro (Textiles, Inc.)
Charter Member, Home Builders Association

Civic/Community Background:
Board of Trustees - Lenoir-Rhyne College (17 years)
Former Chairman, Bd. Of Trustees - Lenoir-Rhyne College (8 years)
Former Board of Directors, Chairman - Gaston Memorial Hospital
Former Board Member - Heart Society, Chamber of Commerce, Schiele Museum, Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Club, Gaston County Arts Council, Piedmont Education Foundation, Gaston Community Foundation
Former President - Dallas Jaycees, PTA Council
Former Little League Coach
Mason/Shriner

I had considered retiring at the end of my current term to spend more time with my business and my family.  However, there are many unfinished issues that I have been deeply involved with -- such as education, transportation and economic growth -- that I cannot abandon.  The future of our community and our state is too important, and I want to continue to be a part of creating that future -- for my children and my grandchildren, and for yours.  I have been lucky and blessed to have widespread, bipartisan support from the people of Gaston County, and I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to represent you in Raleigh.

Public service has always been a central part of my life -- ever since I was elected mayor of Dallas so many years ago -- and my commitment to our community and our state remain strong.  If re-elected I will continue working to improve our schools and our roads, create jobs and economic growth, and help working families build the kind of future we all want for our children and grandchildren.

I believe that serving the public means serving all the public -- and that our efforts are stronger when we all work together.  That's why I plan to keep working across party lines to get the job done, and to keep serving with integrity and honesty.

I would like to thank the people of Gaston County for your faith in me and for continuing to send me to Raleigh to represent you.  I hope you know how much I appreciate serving our community, and I hope I can count on your support again in this next election.  You know that you can count on me as your Senator -- my door is always open to you.