Blaze Bhence

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Blaze Bhence

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of California, Los Angeles, 1987

Graduate

University of Southern California, 1997

Personal

Birthplace

St. Louis, Mo.

Religion

Agnostic

Profession

Technology professional

Blaze Bhence ran for election to the North Orange County Community College District to represent District 1 in California. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Bhence completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Blaze Bhence was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1987 and a graduate degree from the University of Southern California in 1997. His career experience includes working as a technology professional, a Lieutenant for the Orange County Sheriff's dept., author, adjunct professor, and recruiter. Bhence has been affiliated with OCSD, spcaLA, MADD, and AR&C.

Elections

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, California (2022)

General election

General election for North Orange County Community College District, District 1

Incumbent Barbara Dunsheath defeated Blaze Bhence in the general election for North Orange County Community College District, District 1 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barbara Dunsheath (Nonpartisan)	70.2	21,700
		Blaze Bhence (Nonpartisan)	29.8	9,215

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 30,915
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Blaze Bhence completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bhence's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As an Asian-American CEO of an information technology and cyber security company, the North Orange County Community District needs someone on the Board of Trustees that fully understands computing, that can help develop new programs and solutions to computing challenges, needs and opportunities.

BS, Electrical Engineering, Economics minor, UCLA. MBA, Marketing & Sales, USC.

Adjunct-Faculty Executive Business Instructor at UCI teaching courses in Fundamentals of Leadership and Management and Entrepreneur and Organizational Leadership.

I authored, “The Pounce Theory,” published in 2011. A quote from my LinkedIn page: “Where do you want to be and what do you want to accomplish in life? The Pounce Theory goes through all aspects of life, and helps formulate and strategize how to create, set up, and reap the rewards of opportunities that you identify. Setting up and understanding when to pounce on the opportunity is critical to a successful and fulfilled life.”

Mentor of student athletes through We Are G.A.M.E. (Getting Athletes Mentoring and Education).

Retired Orange County Sheriff Reserve Lieutenant. Harbor Division Reserve Deputy of the Year.

Animal shelter volunteer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (spcaLA).

Organize MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) meetings and Make-A-Wish events.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Fiscal responsibility. We have a highly rated and well funded NOCCCD with a surplus, yet we do have underfunded programs and offerings for Faculty, Ad-Fac, and others that can be augmented, without excess spending.
• Financial and benefit stability - Every student and staff member should have healthcare benefits for themselves and family. We have underserved staff and can not ensure we have the best and brightest without stability.
• Security - both physically and technological, are important issues every student and faculty member needs. Physical security can be upgraded, IT network security has been compromised and needs upgrading. These have been more costly by not upgrading

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

We need to invest in the future. We need to educate and train on jobs within water conservation and energy creation. These along with network security initiatives will be the driving forces for our labor markets and high-earning wage positions.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Betty White. She was a champion for animals and those less fortunate than most. She brought a smile to everyone's face and did so much for the world we live in, in a positive manner.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Pounce Theory - author: Blaze Bhence

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and integrity. I find it to be fleeting these days. Politicians seem to be very money driven and I feel strongly that dark money needs to be taken out of politics. We should have governance from the people, by the people.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I look at finances and benefits pragmatically and always look for a triple win in negotiations. I feel strongly, if you look hard enough, you can always find a win-win-win solution.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Fiscal responsibility, yet community responsibility to ensure our students receive the very best educational options to earn a high earning wage position in our community, bringing value to our communities and the world. We need to ensure teachers and ad-fac staff are secure with health benefits for themselves and their families and are enthusiastic to work within the NOCCCD. Without financial and health security, we all fall, and the community is compromised. These core values need to be provided and taught.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I left this earth in a better place than when I came in. My legacy will be one that is followed by my children and my close friends, and also many in my community who have seen my work and positive efforts.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

At 4 years old, I built an igloo in my backyard in Minnesota. I could stay in there for hours, warm and cozy. The memory of that still gives me a smile. As for the global historical event, age 8, Jimmy Carter signed the SALT treaty with Russia. I had no idea what that meant, however, my father explained it to me and I felt comfort in that peaceful resolution at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Worked for Rimaco - a PC board design and layout firm when I was 9 years old. I cleaned the bathrooms three times a week and then the owner trained me how to design circuit boards. After four years, I was a fully qualified PC designer and had enough experience to set me up for engineering jobs. By the time I was 17 and going to UCLA for my BSEE, I had already been an Electrical Engineer for 8 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Jungle Book. It's a simple children's book that teaches that Man and animals can co-exist in harmony. Yeah, there are a lot of flaws, but it made me see the good in all life forms. Vegan today in that belief.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Zues.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Cancer. 7 years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cancer and given 6 months to live by top oncologists. Over the past 7 years, I've flourished in business, hiked Kilimajaro, jetskied in the frozen fjords of Alaska, built businesses, and hopefully helped the NOCCCD. I feel strongly I'll be around for many years to come, however, cancer has come back three times since first diagnosed and removed, so it is a constant battle that can not be lost!

Tell us your favorite joke.

I follow many comedians, but I have been told often, mostly by my children, I'm not a comedian. I'll refrain from answering to save the eye-rolling exercise :-)

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