ABOUT STUART

Stuart Waldman (D-Van Nuys) first moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1978 with his Father, following the death of his Mother. Stuart attended elementary school in Woodland Hills and was later bused from Encino to Westchester.

A few years later, Stuart moved in with his Bubbie (Yiddish for Grandmother) who raised him for several years. Stuart dropped out of high school at the age of 16, but later returned to attend continuation school and night school. Taking responsibility for his education, Stuart excelled, making up lost ground and finishing 11 classes in one semester. He participated in the LAUSD Academic Decathlon and, soon after, transferred back to Fairfax High School, graduating on time with his original class.

After serving in the Army, Stuart returned to the Valley. Assisted by the GI Bill and a full-time job, Stuart enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College, where he received his Associate's Degree and later transferred to Cal State Northridge, where he received his Bachelor's Degree, making the Dean's list at both schools. Stuart also holds a Law Degree from Loyola Law School, where he attended the evening program while working full-time.

Stuart and his wife, attorney Nicole Kuklok-Waldman, share their Van Nuys home with their two rescue dogs, Ginger and Fred. His father, Lew, who is partially disabled from a stroke and diabetes, lives with them.

EDUCATOR
Stuart has had the opportunity to work at local K-12 schools throughout the Valley teaching students.  Additionally, Stuart is an adjunct faculty member at National University.  The opportunity to teach students continues to energize Stuart in his fight to provide teachers with the adequate pay they deserve, guarantee the safety of our children at school and provide students with tools and resources they need to succeed in college and in life.  Stuart believes quality education is a right not a privilege.

A DECORATED VETERAN
A decorated veteran of the United States Army, Stuart served as a Cavalry Scout for an Armor Battalion of the First Infantry Division. He left the service with an honorable discharge after receiving the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT
Stuart is proud to be a grassroots Democrat. He has represented the 40th Assembly District as an elected member of the State Central Committee for the California Democratic Party since 1993. He has also served on the Executive Board of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley for more than a decade, and was the founder of the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats.

A COMMUNITY LEADER
Stuart has worked with numerous community groups. On the board of the Mid Valley YMCA he worked to keep kids safe by providing after-school alternatives, and as a board member at the Valley Community Clinic he worked to keep health care accessible to all. He currently serves on the board of Grandparents as Parents and on the Leadership Council for the American Diabetes Association - San Fernando Valley Chapter. To see all the groups Stuart has been involved with check out: IN THE COMMUNITY

Several community groups have recognized Stuart's continuous service to the community. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the North Hollywood Rotary Club, a Distinguished Alumnus by Los Angeles Valley College, one of 36 Distinguished Jewish Individuals by Hillel, and has also been honored by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association Worker's Compensation Section. He was recognized as one of 25 emerging leaders in the Valley by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

EXPERIENCE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Since 1996, Stuart has represented the Valley and the issues important to the people who live here. As Chief of Staff and as a Field Representative, he has touched the issues that have affected the Valley for more than a decade. He was Chief of Staff to Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Lloyd Levine.

FIGHTING CORPORATE CORRUPTION
In 2001, Stuart was appointed as a Board Member to the California Board of Accountancy, the body that governs California's 68,000 CPAs. Following the Enron scandal, he worked to enact the toughest corporate accounting regulations in the country. In 2004, Stuart was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the board overseeing the boards $7 million dollar annual budget. He became the first non-CPA to hold that position since the boards creation in 1901.

REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE
Stuart has firsthand experience in the private sector, where he worked his way through college at a Woodland Hills pension firm. Performing the duties of purchasing and operations for more than six years, Stuart was instrumental in ensuring that the company continued operation following the Northridge earthquake.