Jay Saad is running for the Collin College board of trustees Place 2 seat. He is currently running unopposed. Community Impact Newspaper sent Saad a set of questions about his candidacy. His answers have been edited for style.

Why did you decide to run for the Collin College board of trustees?

I decided to run for Collin College trustee because I want to give back to the community that I have come to love so much. I raised my family here. My children have grown up here. Collin County has been very good to me and my family, and now I want to give back with my time and experience.

What experience do you think prepares you for serving on the board?

I believe that I bring my experience as being a vice president of Cigna and 30+ years working in corporate America to bear, if I’m fortunate enough to be elected to the Collin College board. My experience of managing multimillion dollar budgets, along with managing people in my organization makes me uniquely qualified to be on the Collin College board. The current board has done a tremendous job with growth and planning for where we are today. I believe my experience in corporate America fits in perfectly with the existing strategy. The objective of any board is to provide guidance and direction for the organization. My entire career has prepared me for this next step in my community. I’m happy, willing and able to share my knowledge with everyone in Collin County.

Do you support the school marshal program? Why or why not?

Yes, I fully support the school marshal program. Student safety is a critical issue in our schools today. The statistics prove that having properly trained law enforcement personnel in these institutions improves the safety rates within these schools drastically. That’s another reason why I’m a big supporter of the NRA School Shield program.

How do you think Collin College can address workforce needs in the area?

We need to maintain our excellent relationship with the employers in the area, because they tell Collin College the types of people and the training necessary for their business. We need this information to make sure we maintain and create the classes that best fit the experience needed for the employers in North Texas.

What else do you want voters to know about you?

If I have not answered your specific question in this short interview, I have a 100% open door policy. Feel free to contact me and I’m happy to speak with everyone. As a Collin College trustee, I represent everyone in Collin County and I want to hear from you. If anyone has any further questions, I can be reached at: • Website – www.ElectJaySaad.com • Facebook – Jay Saad for Collin College Trustee