Candidate for
Member of Congress; California; Congressional District 50

Residents of the 50th Congressional District deserve a representative they can trust to stand up for their interests and set a high standard for ethical conduct.

Richard Earnest is a former mayor and councilman, a successful businessman, and a decorated Vietnam-era fighter pilot who has earned the respect and trust of community and business leaders throughout the 50th Congressional District.

He and his wife Jackee moved to Del Mar, California in 1989, and have been active in community affairs ever since. They are also kept busy with three wonderful adult children and a beautiful young grandson.

The son of a steel worker, Mr. Earnest is the first in his family to go to college. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the US Naval Academy, where he played varsity baseball and football, playing in the national championship football game in the Cotton Bowl on a team that included Hall of Fame member Roger Staubach. He also earned a Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

After successfully completing flight training at NAS Miramar, he joined a fighter squadron in January of 1967, flew over 300 combat missions over three tours totaling 21 months in Vietnam, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, 21 Air Medals, 2 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat "V", and various campaign ribbons.

During a subsequent career as CEO of leading high-tech companies, Mr. Earnest earned a reputation for reorganizing and reshaping the strategic direction of his companies, promoting teamwork among his employees, and emphasizing ethical leadership in highly competitive situations.

Mr. Earnest served as President and Chief Operating Officer of VM Software, which he grew from a $2 million to a $50 million company and took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange. He also served as CEO of Peregrine Systems, Demax Software, Tudor Publishing, Data Critical Corporation, and Xperius, Inc.

Mr. Earnest is co-founder and past Chairman of the International Forum for Corporate Directors, San Diego; Managing Director of ADAPSO National High Technology Industry Association; founding member in San Diego Chairman's RoundTable, and founder, Chairman and CEO of AdvantEdge Systems of San Diego. He serves on the boards of RSA Security (RSAS:NASDAQ) in Bedford, Mass., Accessline Inc., in Seattle, Washington, Acucorp in San Diego, and CombineNET in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. Earnest is a founding contributor to the Evoeke Dance Theatre in San Diego, an organization that brings disadvantaged children into the dance world, and a continuing contributor to the Boys and Girls club in North County. Mrs. Earnest helped the homeless women at Rachel's Women Center in San Diego and served on the board of Evoeke.