2022 Candidate Profile: Keven J. LeBlanc Jr. For Herndon Town Council

HERNDON, VA — Keven J. LeBlanc Jr. says that he is passionate about the Herndon community and making it a true home for everyone that lives there. He's also on the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election as a candidate for the Herndon Town Council.

LeBlanc is running against incumbents Cesar del Aguila, Naila Alam, Pradip Dhakal, and Signe V. Friedrichs, as well as fellow challengers Clark A. Hedrick, Stevan M. Porter, Donielle M. Scherff, and Roland B. Taylor for the six seats on the Herndon Town Council.

Patch asked each of the candidates in the Herndon Town Council race to fill out the following questionnaire.

Name

Keven J LeBlanc Jr.

Campaign Website

Keven4Herndon

Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

Scott Mayhugh (spouse) - 57

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No.

Education

Duke University - BSE

Occupation - Please include years of experience

15 year Chief Operating Officer (COO) veteran, Small business owner currently - consulting to other businesses in Federal Health IT space, previously COO of Health IT Company focused in Federal Contracting (22 years in Federal contracting space)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Herndon Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Board (HDE&I); Herndon Rebranding Committee; Louisiana Board of Secondary & Elementary Education (BESE)

Why are you seeking elective office?I am passionate about community and making it a true home for everyone that lives here. I view it as an extension of my current community service in hosting events like the Holiday Homes Tour or WinterMarkt, supporting the Arts Council, serving on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, etc. I feel that national party politics are not the role of our town council and so want to support my neighbors and community as their voice on the issues that matter here at home. I certainly bring my business leadership, working in Federal government, to help propel the Town forward while preserving our community feel and history.The single most pressing issue facing the Town of Herndon is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Actively listening and responding to what the community really wants and needs (such as traffic abatement and safety, smart infrastructure planning for downtown and metro development, small business development)

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I combine trusted business and community leadership, experience and understanding of the workings of Government, a diverse background and the ability and perseverance to make things happen. Real leadership happens when you are truly present, and I am Here for Herndon.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I appreciate existing council members volunteering their time and resources to our community. They each care about Herndon in their own way and have done what they thought was best for their respective communities. However, this existing council has been locked in personal politics dividing the Council losing their focus on listening to constituents and doing what is best for our small community, sometimes bringing national politics to our local stage while others rarely show up to meetings to be involved. Several are so focused on personal goals or their perception of what has always been, that they fail to question how can we achieve what is best for everyone.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Living in the Locust St/Residential Spring St corridor with recent accidents and cut-through traffic, I understand and am very concerned about traffic control and safety for everyone sharing the roads and sidewalks. I am concerned about smart infrastructure development ahead of large growth pockets or redevelopment as well as not repeatedly tearing up the same area multiple times for projects that should have been sequenced. I believe every person regardless of where they live, what they do, color, creed, orientation, gender, age or neural diversity should have a voice and be represented in community matters and engaged. I'd like to see changes to our Historic Preservation Review and Architecture guidelines to make more sense for today's homeowners, improved housing considerations, and taxes. Finally, I'd like to see everyone including town staff and council members, being held to objective and measurable standards that support progress on all issues within their purview.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have always been a leader, from a young age through adulthood, and believe I embody the spirit of servant leadership and a focus on community engagement. Immediately out of college I was thrust into management and within a couple years moved into executive leadership roles, having built and led several companies. All of my client focus has been on large national concerns in the Federal government, predominantly healthcare and fiscal responsibility which demonstrate a high understanding of equity and engagement across government. Throughout it all, I also have been a community organizer and focused on the underserved or disengaged to bring dignity and support where needed.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I am from an immigrant family in south Louisiana. My family and community always told me "God calls us to care for our fellow man, especially the neediest. Others may talk funny, listen to strange music, or eat things you don't (heck most of the world thinks that of us) but they still talk, listen and eat just as you do. You must seek to understand and capture the essence, tolerance and spirit of their humanity in every deed so you care for the entire person as you help to lift them up. In doing so you lift yourself and your community."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Simply that I will always seek out to understand data, hear your thoughts, and weigh all outcomes before supporting a town decision...and then I will personally roll up my sleeves and work with the town, county, state and you to make it happen.

Related:

• Incorrect Precinct Information Sent To Herndon, Vienna, Clifton Voters
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Roland B. Taylor Runs For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Clark Hedrick Runs For Herndon Town Council
• Herndon 2022 General Election: Guide To Candidates, How To Vote
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Naila Alam Runs For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Donielle M. Scherff For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Stevan M. Porter Runs For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Signe Friedrichs Runs For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Keven J. LeBlanc Jr. For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Pradip Dhakal For Herndon Town Council
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Cesar del Aguila Runs For Herndon Town Council
• General Election 2022: Key Dates To Know In Herndon