BIOGRAPHY
JOEL BALAM, UNITED STATES CITIZEN
BORN
Joel Balam is a United States Citizen and America’s immigrant son. He was born on April 12, 1948 in Campeche, Mexico. (His name at birth: Joel Balam de Escalante). He is a descendant of Spanish settlers of New Mexico. He lived in Phoenix and Nashville prior to moving to Kansas City in 1977. He has been living in Overland Park, Kansas continually since 1983.
FAMILY
In 1976, Joel married Nancy M. Ingram, the daughter of WWII Veteran Thomas Ingram, and Mrs. Frances Thompson Ingram of Tennessee. He and Nancy divorced in 1991. They have three children: Joel Kenneth of California, Nora Mae of Kansas, and Richard Thomas, a U.S. soldier who has served courageously with ground troops in Iraq and is presently serving at Fort Riley. Joel’s parents are: Raymundo Balam, a direct descendant of the Maya people of Yucatan, and Adelaida de Escalante Carballo, a rightful descendant of Castilian families who emigrated to Santa Fe, New Mexico from the Province of Valladolid, Spain .
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Joel Balam holds a Bachelor degree in Communications from Trevecca Nazarene University (Nashville, TN) (www.trevecca.edu/); a Master’s degree from Baker University School of Professional and Graduate Studies (Baldwin City, KS) (www.bakeru.edu/); Certification for Clinical Pastoral Education, Overland Park Regional Medical Center (O.P.,KS).
In the Summer of 1992, Balam travelled to France on an Educational Tour. He visited historic places and national monuments, including the burial place of William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy and King of England), and the WWII Memorial and American Cemetery at Omaha Beach (D-Day Landing Area).
POLITICAL AND CIVIC EXPERIENCES
Balam’s first experience in American politics was as an observer while working as a proofreader for the Senate Chamber of the State of Tennessee in Nashville during the 1980 sessions. He continued to learn more about the political process when he served as chairman of Home Front Americans, a conservative political committee which was registered with the Federal Election Commission (1995-1996). In that capacity he worked with Republicans Robert Mayhew from Iowa and John Force from Kansas, members of this committee, supporting Bob Dole’s Campaign for President. In 1990, Balam joined People to People International, an organization founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He later served as a Civilian Sponsor for International Officers attending the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth (1990-1994). He also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of this organization in Kansas City. In March 2004, Balam was part of a delegation attending the “Hispanic Day on the Hill” at the State Capitol in Topeka. On that day, he had the opportunity to talk to legislators and also chat with Governor Kathleen Sebelius, now U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
WORK EXPERIENCES
Balam’s most extensive experiences have been in the areas of Linguistics and Communications – working for many years as an editor and translator. As a Spanish language translator, he served the U.S. Justice Department, Citizen and Immigration Services, and the Federal Courts in the District of Kansas and the Western District of Missouri for over 7 years. As a college instructor, he served at various institutions of higher education, including MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, and the University of Campeche where he was visiting professor of foreign languages. Most recently, as a chaplain, he has had many opportunities to serve the needs of the homeless in Kansas City. He frequently visits the sick in hospitals and those in detention centers. He feels it is his duty to reach out to those who are isolated and in need of encouragement. One of his top priorities as a chaplain is to reach out to Veterans and their families, and pray for our troops who have been deployed to conflict areas. Balam is proud of his rich cultural heritage. But as a United States Citizen, he is proud to be an American whose desire is to serve the best interest of his community and country.
RELIGION
Joel Balam is a Christian. He is presently a member of the Disciples of Christ Church, but previously held membership in the Church of the Nazarene.
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