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In 25 Words or Less
Posted: March 15, 2016
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ORGANIZATION LEADER | CHARLES HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION (CHBA)
THE BASICS
| Name: Andrew Houston • Nickname: Drew |
| Age: 30s • Status: Single • Kids: No |
| Place of Birth: Berkeley, CA • Raised: The Bay |
| Professional Background: Andrew is currently a Staff Attorney at the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Office of the General Counsel where he handles a variety of matters, with particular emphasis on public contracts involving construction, procurement and services. |
| What achievement or position are you most known for? Charles Houston Bar Association President |
| Contact/Follow: Website • Email • Facebook • LinkedIn |
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25 WORDS OR LESS: WORK
| Job(s) held that is most unlike what I currently do now: Round Table Pizza Supervisor |
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| Field: Nonprofit, Legal |
| Yrs of Experience: Five years on the Board Directors and the past four months as President. |
| Title: President |
| Term Expiration: December 2016 |
| Organization: Charles Houston Bar Association (CHBA) • Oakland, CA |
| What it does and what I do: CHBA is comprised of lawyers, judges, and law students throughout California, CHBA maintains its legacy by working to address the unique challenges facing the African American community. As President I facilitate all the various activities CHBA is involved with. |
| Current Big Project: Our critical mission this year is to lay the foundation to increase the number of black lawyers. |
| Staffing/Resource Needs: CHBA has an “Arc of Justice” summer fellowship which helps increase the number of law students of color who pursue careers in public interest law. |
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| Field: Legal |
| Title: Attorney |
| Yrs of Experience: 9 |
| Company: BART – Oakland, CA |
| What it does and what I do: Provides regional rail service in the San Francisco Bay Area. Responsible for legal support and advice for staff. |
| Current Big Project: Silicon Valley BART extension. |
| Staffing/Resource Needs: BART Legal offers internships in the summer, fall and spring for law students to learn about government law practice. |
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| Additional Positions: Past Position: Contracts Compliance Officer, City and County of San Francisco Human Rights Commission. |
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| Additional Organizations: East Oakland Church of Christ |
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25 WORDS OR LESS: PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE
| Significant Challenge: Learning how to take on more responsibility and grow in a career. |
| Significant Mistake/Regret: Not traveling more before I started in the legal profession. |
Significant Accomplishment: 2015 National Bar Association 40 Under 40 Award Recipient • 53rd Annual Foothill College Commencement Speaker
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| Biggest Strength(s): Good Communicator. |
| Biggest Weakness(es): I am very critical of my own work. |
| Career Advice: It’s not what you know, it’s who you know! |
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25 WORDS OR LESS: PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
| Significant Challenge: Work–life balance. |
Significant Accomplishment: Being the first in my family to graduate from college.
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| Life Advice: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. |
| Trait(s) most admired in others: Boldness, Humility, Good Manners and Generosity. |
| Some causes/organizations I support: Education Equality. |
| Some of my most-admired people (excluding parents): My JC Counselor Jean Thomas and my Preacher Carl Brinkley. |
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25 WORDS OR LESS: LIFESTYLE
| Hours of “personal” downtime/week: 14 |
Favorite activity(s) in my personal downtime: Playing Basketball.
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| Some of my favorite local hangouts: O.Co for Warriors games, 24 Hour Fitness Oakland Basketball Court and my Grandmas House. |
| Some of my favorite TV shows: Good Times, Sanford & Son and The Jeffersons. |
| What news outlets or media sources do you most rely on?: ESPN.com |
| Favorite Vacation Spot(s): Cuba. |
| Place(s) I would like to visit: Iran |
| Favorite Pastime/Hobby(s): Long Drives. |
| Favorite Book(s): A Fine Balance, Killing the Messenger and A Different Mirror. |
| Something about me that may surprise you: I was a VERY “chubby” kid. |
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