Dale P. Kooyenga
Encyclopedia
Dale P. Kooyenga is a Wisconsin
legislator, CPA and Army Reservist.
Born in Oak Lawn, Illinois
, Kooyenga graduated with an AA from Moraine Valley Community College
in 2000, attained a BA from Lakeland College in 2000, and later an MA from Marquette University
in 2007. He is a current member of the U.S. Army Reserve, and an Iraq War veteran. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly
in 2010.
Early Life/College
Dale grew up the oldest of four siblings on the south side of Chicago in a blue collar family and neighborhood. He attended Chicago Christian High School and went on to attend Moraine Valley Community College
. Dale played basketball at Moraine Valley and was subsequently recruited by Lakeland College
in Sheboygan, WI where he played NCAA Div III basketball and graduated with honors.
Professional Career:
Dale moved to Milwaukee in 2001, passed the Certified Public Accounting exam, and began working for a large international accounting firm. During his career as a public accountant he worked with the State of Wisconsin's largest manufacturing, health care, financial services and not-for-profit organizations. Dale is also a graduate of Marquette University
's Masters In Business Administration program.
In 2005 Dale left his career in public accounting to serve his country. He attended the United States Army's basic training, Officer Candidate School and the Military Intelligence Officer Course. After completing the year long Army training Dale returned to his career in public accounting and married.
Dale was called up for service in Iraq in 2008. Although trained as a Military Intelligence Officer, Dale was quickly assigned as the 4th Infantry Division's Officer in Charge of Economic Development in Baghdad. Dale served in Iraq
from January 2008 to November 2008. The team in charge of economic development created thousands of jobs by utilizing a combination of mircogrants, introducing foreign investors and working directly with Iraqi small, medium and large business. Dale was part of a team that realized an 80% decrease in significant hostile acts from January 2008 to November 2008. Dale was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
In Fall 2010, Dale was elected to represent the 14th District for the Wisconsin State Assembly. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2011.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
legislator, CPA and Army Reservist.
Born in Oak Lawn, Illinois
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Oak Lawn is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 55,245 at the 2000 census.Oak Lawn is a suburb of the city of Chicago, located southwest of the city...
, Kooyenga graduated with an AA from Moraine Valley Community College
Moraine Valley Community College
Moraine Valley Community College is a community college located in Palos Hills, Illinois in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Founded in 1967, it is the second largest community college in the state. It has an enrollment of approximately 35,000...
in 2000, attained a BA from Lakeland College in 2000, and later an MA from Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
in 2007. He is a current member of the U.S. Army Reserve, and an Iraq War veteran. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
in 2010.
Early Life/College
Dale grew up the oldest of four siblings on the south side of Chicago in a blue collar family and neighborhood. He attended Chicago Christian High School and went on to attend Moraine Valley Community College
Moraine Valley Community College
Moraine Valley Community College is a community college located in Palos Hills, Illinois in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Founded in 1967, it is the second largest community college in the state. It has an enrollment of approximately 35,000...
. Dale played basketball at Moraine Valley and was subsequently recruited by Lakeland College
Lakeland College
Lakeland College is a liberal arts college located in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin west of Howards Grove; however it uses a Sheboygan postal address for all correspondence...
in Sheboygan, WI where he played NCAA Div III basketball and graduated with honors.
Professional Career:
Dale moved to Milwaukee in 2001, passed the Certified Public Accounting exam, and began working for a large international accounting firm. During his career as a public accountant he worked with the State of Wisconsin's largest manufacturing, health care, financial services and not-for-profit organizations. Dale is also a graduate of Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
's Masters In Business Administration program.
In 2005 Dale left his career in public accounting to serve his country. He attended the United States Army's basic training, Officer Candidate School and the Military Intelligence Officer Course. After completing the year long Army training Dale returned to his career in public accounting and married.
Dale was called up for service in Iraq in 2008. Although trained as a Military Intelligence Officer, Dale was quickly assigned as the 4th Infantry Division's Officer in Charge of Economic Development in Baghdad. Dale served in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
from January 2008 to November 2008. The team in charge of economic development created thousands of jobs by utilizing a combination of mircogrants, introducing foreign investors and working directly with Iraqi small, medium and large business. Dale was part of a team that realized an 80% decrease in significant hostile acts from January 2008 to November 2008. Dale was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
In Fall 2010, Dale was elected to represent the 14th District for the Wisconsin State Assembly. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2011.