Rob Krupicka
Kenneth Robert "Rob" Krupicka, Jr. (born February 18, 1971) is an American politician. A Democrat, he served on the Alexandria, Virginia city council from 2003–2012, the Virginia State Board of Education from 2009–2012 and, in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2012 to 2016. Early life. Krupicka was born in Thousand Oaks, California on February 18, 1971. Krupicka graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in economics, and subsequently moved to Alexandria where he met his then wife Lisa Guernsey. Along with their two daughters, Janelle and Gillian, they lived in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood . Krupicka left politics in 2015 to pursue full time his career as a small businessman, operating the well regarded and reviewed Sugar Shack Donut stores in Northern Virginia and Washington DC. He presently resides in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Political career. Rob began his civic life as president of the Del Ray Citizens Association, and at the urging of the community he successfully ran for City Council in 2003. During his nine years on Council, Rob worked to expand mass transit throughout the city (including leading on the creation of the planned Potomac Yard Metro); advocated for policies that have  dramatically increased recycling; instituted policies that encourage people to walk or bike to work (their numbers have more than doubled since his arrival); fought for the acquisition of acres of new open space; successfully pushed to expand pre-k services in the city; streamlined bureaucracy for small businesses so that independent companies have a better chance to thrive; promoted expanded community policing and gang prevention efforts which have contributed to historically low crime rates, and; co-founded the nationally recognized Eco-City Alexandria program that has made Alexandria a recognized leader in energy conservation and sustainability. In 2009, after helping  to create Virginia's school readiness standards, Governor Tim Kaine appointed Rob to the State Board of Education where he worked to expand educational opportunity in Virginia's schools and ensure that children in the Commonwealth show up to Kindergarten ready to learn and graduate High School with the skills necessary to compete in the 21st Century economy. On the Board, Rob was a strong advocate for increasing math and science learning opportunities in Virginia as well as for getting away from the stranglehold of the No Child Left Behind law. In 2011, Krupicka contested the Democratic nomination for the  Virginia 30th Senate district, which was an open seat due to the retirement of Senator Patsy Ticer. Krupicka ran second to the eventual winner, Adam Ebbin. In 2012, after the previous delegate for the House of Delegates 45th district resigned, Krupicka announced his candidacy and received the Democratic nomination by winning a primary in August. Governor Bob McDonnell called a special election for September 4, 2012 and Krupicka was elected over Republican and Libertarian candidates. He sat on the following committees: Privileges and Elections; Counties, Cities and Towns; and Health, Welfare and Institutions. In the General Assembly Rob was a  leader in education issues, representing the Democrats on a number of key education initiatives. In the 2014 session he worked to successfully pass significant SOL reform legislation, which received almost unanimous bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. He was also active on Higher Ed issues; he worked to reduce the financial burden on low-income students attending Virginia’s colleges and Universities. In 2013 the Virginia Education Association named them their Rookie of the Year. Criminal justice and mental health were also key legislative priorities of Rob’s. During his first year, he successfully argued for increased funding  in the budget for Mental Health First Aid Training. Awards. 2014 Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Education and Workforce Development 2013 Accepted into University of Virginia Darden School's Emerging Leaders Program of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation 2013 Virginia Education Association Rookie of the Year 2007 Virginia Jaycees Young Virginian of the Year 2006 Elizabeth Ann Campagna Award for support of children and families 2006 Bike Walk Virginia State Legislative Award 2004-2005 Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute Fellow (through the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech)