Lance Gurel

A candidate for Spokane Valley City Council, position 3, City of Spokane Valley in the 2019 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 6

City: Spokane Valley, Washington

Education: Graduated from Walter Johnson Senior High School in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1966. Attended the University of Maryland for two years but did not finish a degree. Graduated with bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arkansas Tech University in 1996. Graduated with an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1998.

Work experience: Has owned an accounting business since 2006. Previously worked as a financial analyst for Florida State University. Worked as financial officer and director of development for Arkansas Tech University from 1995 to 2001. Previously worked as a welder, orchard manager, home rebuilder.

Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Spokane Valley City Council in 2019.

Family: Married. Has five children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Pitch: "I'm running because I think government should be effective, efficient and work for the people, but I reject the idea of tearing government down as small as possible. There are people, both our previous legislators, present legislators and the candidates I'm running against, who just think that government should be made so small that in effect it's too small to take care of the services that we need."