The following bio is that of an event speaker or guest author. This person is not directly affiliated with the John Locke Foundation.
Dean Arp has represented Union County’s District 69 in the North Carolina state House since 2012. He currently serves as a Senior Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and Co-Chairman of the Energy & Public Utilities Committee.
Prior to his election to the state House, he served on the Union County Board of Education for 12 years, including six as board chairman. Born and raised in the Charlotte area, Representative Arp graduated from North Mecklenburg High School, where he participated in the Air Force JROTC program.
He attended The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering. As a Company Commander at The Citadel, Representative Arp led over 100 men to receive the President’s Cup and claim the title of Honor Company. Due to an accident, his dream of a life of military service would not become reality, but Representative Arp considers the military training he received at The Citadel to have been invaluable.
Representative Arp went on to earn a master’s degree in civil engineering from UNC Charlotte, where he currently serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Engineering. In 2003, Representative Arp founded Arp Engineering, located in downtown Monroe.
He has been married to his wife, Anne, for 31 years, and they have two children.