Name: Carol Adamson

Position: Chair  

As current Vice-Chair of Democrats Abroad Sweden I have been a voting member of the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA), of which Democrats Abroad Sweden is one of 52 national committees. Through the DPCA we are able to influence Democratic policies and legislation. Two examples of the policies that affect Democrats Abroad—in fact all Americans citizens abroad-- are recent legislation that facilitates voting from abroad, and improvements in the law regulating the voting rights of children born abroad to US citizens. 

Since I grew up in a family where politics were heatedly debated, I have nursed a passion for US politics and world affairs. Many issues need to be addressed now that affect not only US citizens abroad, but also the whole world. I remember that President Obama said, with much satisfaction, in the run-up to the Iowa Primary: “The people of Iowa are paying attention!” We need to pay attention now! Look what happened in 2010 when Wisconsin Democrats didn’t respond as usual in casting their ballots. Environmental issues, political and constitutional issues such as those related to Guantánamo and Citizens United, economic issues such as the deficit, finance regulation and enforcement, and tax structures, migration, workers’ rights, infrastructure, education, gun control, health care, prison reform, and attention to the rights of women are part of the extensive list to which I try to pay attention. President Obama and his administration have accomplished much. We need to engage in re-electing him and returning a Democratic Congress to Washington after the 2012 elections. It is imperative that we make our voices heard and votes count. 

My voting district is Illinois 16. I earned a PH.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin and taught at Western Michigan University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Queen’s University in Canada. World History became my greatest interest. I served on the Executive Council of the World History Association and helped to found a European counterpart, now attached to the University of Leipzig. 

My doctoral research brought me to Sweden. I stayed, married and brought up children here. I retired from the Stockholm International School where I taught History and Theory of Knowledge and advised the students who participated in Model UN Conferences. I remain an examiner for The International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement World History. I am also a member of the World History Association’s teaching prize committee.

Feel free to get intouch with me at vicechair@democratsabroad.se or phone 08-86624580. 

Name: Shawn Westcott

Position: Vice Chair

Like you, I know the challenges of being a Democrat living overseas. From our positions here in Sweden, we are witnesses to many of the wonderful things a functioning society can offer its citizens. Yet, we look in frustration at the business-as-usual ways our elected politicians at home are running our country, and we want to be able to do something to influence their actions and the results those actions have on us living overseas, on our fellow countrymen, and the world as a whole.    

That’s why I’m excited to be running for a position with Democrats Abroad. I see the good work the organization has already done, and the potential concerned people like us can have to further influence the way our party functions -- especially in preparation for 2012. 
 

My chief interest is to help strategically position our organization to channel our experiences and interests more effectively. Having come to Sweden in 2007 to study for my Masters in Sustainable Development, I now work as a professional strategist through my company, SSD Advisers, where I help communities and businesses develop strategies to adopt practices that move them toward sustainability. 
 

I also know a little bit about political organizing. Before coming to Sweden, I worked for 7 years as a political organizer and strategist. I got my start as a member of the Field Staff for Al Gore’s 2000 campaign in Western Pennsylvania. I then worked on a series of campaigns and initiatives that included:

Campaign Manager for Jim Ferlo for PA State Senate (2002)

Constituency Outreach for Ed Rendell for PA Governor (2002)

Local Field Director, New York Governor’s Race Primary (2002)

Campaign Manager for Mitch Kates for Pittsburgh City Council (2002-3)

District Coordinator for Gavin Newsom for San Francisco Mayor (2003)

Regional Field Coordinator, Howard Dean for President, South Carolina (2004)

Campaign Manager for Shawn Flaherty for PA State House (2006)

Campaign Manager, Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee (2006)

Volunteer, Obama for President, Western PA (2008)

I also served as an Associate with Storefront Political Media in San Francisco from 2004-2005, where I learned a great deal about fundraising and coordinated strategy, having overseen the field and media strategy for numerous local and national campaigns. 

In addition to using my political organizing experience, I will also draw on my experiences in other areas to serve the interests of Democrats Abroad, which include:

6 years as a Marine Corps Reserve Military Policeman and Platoon Leader

Previous roles on three NGO Boards of Directors

Current Board Chairman of SE Forum, Sweden’s NGO promoting the development of social entrepreneurship nationally.

I have learned over the years the importance of solid organizing, strategic thinking and planning, and good organizational governance. I hope to bring those experiences to Democrats Abroad.   

Please feel free to reach me with any questions of comments. My email address is shawn.westcott (at) gmail.com. You can also find me on LinkedIn.

Name: Samuel Edwards

Position: Secretary 

It would be an honor to serve as Secretary for Democrats Abroad Sweden. As an American expatriate, I feel that I have gained an enriched global perspective on what it means to be American and this has created within me a desire to become engaged in the political debate that defines the United States. It is with this in mind that I accept the nomination for this position and hope to play some small role in the reelection of President Obama and perhaps even a Democratic Congress.  

The last time I assumed the role of secretary was as a college junior back in 1989. I remember that the task engaged me in the activities of my house brothers in ways that intramural sports could not. Through it I gained an understanding of the political dynamic in the school community and a political purpose to my membership in the group. This sense of connection is another motivator for my interest in working with Democrats Abroad. 

I am not a professional writer, but I have done my fair share of the art over the years.  As a teacher, I find writing to be paramount in my daily tasks; clarity and efficiency are necessary when communicating with teenagers. Additionally, I have performed occasional freelance proofreading and editing of documents translated into English from Swedish, with excellent results and quite favorable reviews. I feel ready to assume the writing demands inherent in this position. 

I have lived in Sweden since 2003 and Stockholm since 2005. I currently teach courses in Business and International Economics at Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet in Skanstull. Prior to coming to Sweden, I worked in the IT sector as a network administrator and spent four years in the US Air Force. My educational background is in communications, sociology, business and international affairs. Though I lived in various parts of the United States, I was born in Tennessee and my deep southern roots have given me an uncommon perspective on life in Sweden and the expat experience. 

If you have any questions for me, my email address is SamuelSEdwards@gmail.com and my Linkedin profile can be viewed at www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsedw... .

Name: Carole Dispenza-Henderson

Position: Treasurer 

I have lived in Sweden since 1970 and have been a member of Democrats Abroad Sweden since its inception. I have served as treasurer for the American Women's Club in Stockholm.  

My husband, Neil and I have lived in Stockholm for as long as we've been in Sweden. I have worked at Folkuniversitet as an English language teacher. I have worked at Åhléns City in the marketing department and have also worked for British Petroleum in marketing. 

I retired four years ago after 15 years at Save the Children Sweden (Rädda Barnen)  where I worked initially in fundraising and then went on to marketing Save the Children's publications in English. 

I am fluent in Swedish and have an understanding of bookkeeping procedures necessary to serve as treasurer.  

All of my past employment required knowledge of budgeting and a good financial understanding. I believe my past experience as treasurer makes me suitable to be the treasurer of Democrats Abroad Sweden. 

Name: Philip Winegarner

Position: Counsel 

I ask for your vote as Legal Counsel for the Democrats Abroad Sweden. I feel I am qualified for the position.

I am a New York lawyer – have been a member of the New York Bar since 1982.

I graduated from University of Miami School of Law in 1979. After graduation I moved to NYC and worked various capacities as a lawyer, including labor law and prosecutor for the City of New York (see attached letter of recommendation from Judge Judy).

I received my Masters of Law from New York University in 1982. 

In 1990, I, my Swedish wife and our two older sons moved from NYC to Mariefred, an hour outside Stockholm.  

It may be a bit of a cliché – the burnt-out ex-prosecutor fleeing to the woods of Scandinavia – but I have no regrets. It has been a wonderful place to raise a family – a sort of Democratic utopia. 

We still live in the Mariefred area, but the sons are scattered – Uppsala, Trondheim and our youngest son – born 1991 – is now studying at Radford University in Virginia. 

So the US and American politics are much more than just news for us – it is what our youngest son is immersed in. What happens politically in the US effects us all and now. It has a direct impact on our son and is of considerable concern for me. 

We all need to stay involved, regardless of party affiliations, and ensure the electoral systems function fully and fairly.

Thank you for your vote.