Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

• President N.C. Association of County Commissioners - August 2010-present
• Chairman, Wake County Board of Commissioners - 2005 and 2008
• Knightdale Mayor and Town Council - 1987-2002
• Chairman, Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organization - 2002-present
• Trustee, Wake Education Partnership - 2005-2008
• Active member Knightdale Baptist Church - 1987-present
• Board member, Alice Aycock Poe Health Center - 2005-present
• UNC-CH, B.S. Industrial Relations; CMU, M.A. Business
• U.S. Navy Lieutenant/Financial Advisor - 1975-1980/1980-present
• The Order of the Long Leaf Pine
• Married for 35 years to Jennifer Jones Bryan, two married daughters and three grandchildren

Joe is a dedicated public servant with 23 years experience as a Wake County Commissioner and Knightdale Mayor/Town Council member. As the founder of EDUCATION FIRST! Joe strengthened our schools. In numerous budgets, Joe Bryan has made the difference in assuring a good education for our children.

Many credit Joe for his tireless efforts to expedite the US 64 Bypass, thus saving 3 hours per week for commuters so they could spend less time in traffic and more time with their families.

Joe and his colleagues have planned well for Wake County through efforts such as the business led Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County to recently Joe chairing the Wake Sustainability Task Force. These ongoing leadership efforts will maintain and improve our quality of life.

Joe values your hard earned money that you entrust to Commissioners to meet the priority needs of the County. This is reflected in the AAA, highest financial bond rating, which depicts Wake County's financial strength.

Thank you for allowing Joe to serve as your Wake County Commissioner.

Campaign Platform:

Meet priority County needs of education, human services, public safety

Ensure highest financial bond rating of AAA is maintained

As Chair of CAMPO, led the development of a sound, regional transit plan

Strengthen partnerships between County and the municipalities, State and Federal Government. One of the largest challenges facing Counties is the State of North Carolina's $3 billion budget shortfall that they may try to pass down to local county and municipal governments. Big government spending can not and must not continue. Government must hold the line on spending.

Build on strategies that encourage the private sector to create high paying jobs. Wake County has recently become the most populous County in N.C. in part due to County policies that have been business friendly, such as ensuring infrastructure is in place, fully funding Wake Technical College to make sure employers have a highly trained workforce, and supporting efforts of our Chambers of Commerce to recruit industry.

Educated, globally prepared young people. It is unacceptable to accept high school graduation rates in the mid 70 percent area. Let us focus on academics. We had great success with Goal 2003 and I propose the development of a new education Community goal. For example: Algebra is recognized as a gateway course to graduation and life success. Goal: 80% of 8th graders will successfully complete algebra and the remaining 20% complete in the 9th grade.

For additional Wake County focus areas, please visit the WakeGov.com website. Mental health, human services, animal shelter, environmental stewardship, advanced paramedics, building human capital, open space preservation, Little River Reservoir, libraries, etc.