Get to Know Ken

The Plum family.Member, Virginia House of Delegates, 36th District

Born:
Shenandoah, Virginia, November 3, 1941.
Spouse:
Jane M. Plum
Children:
Timothy R. and David W. Plum, Helen Kilinski and Augusta Niday
Education:
B.A., Old Dominion University; M.Ed., University of Virginia
Occupation:
Retired teacher and school administrator after nearly 30 years. Served as Director of Adult and Community Education, Fairfax County Public Schools.
Member of Virginia House of Delegates: 1978-80; 1982-present.
Memberships:
  • House Democratic Caucus, Chairman Emeritus
  • Democratic Party of Virginia – Former State Chair
  • Dulles Corridor Rail Association – Founder and Chair
  • Virginia Literacy Foundation – Charter Member of the Board of Directors
  • Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation – Board of Trustees
  • American Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia – Board of Trustees
  • Greater Reston Arts Center – Advisory Board
  • Reston Chorale – Honorary Board Member
  • Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty – Board of Advisors
  • United Christian Parish of Reston – Trustee, former Moderator of Board

Recognitions

Transportation
  • Distinguished Transportation Leadership Award, Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance 2013
  • Tower of Dulles Award from Committee for Dulles 2010
  • Dulles Area Transportation Association Founder’s Award for Transportation Leadership, 2007
  • Outstanding Contribution by a Public Official for New Services Along the Dulles Corridor, Virginia Transportation Association, 2000
Conservation
  • Conservation Hero, League of Conservation Voters, 2007-2013
  • Legislator of the Year, Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, 1996
  • Eco-Hero Award, Sierra Club, 1996
  • Legislator of the Year Award, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 1993
Education
  • Plum Center for Lifelong Learning named in honor of Delegate Ken Plum, 2009
  • Virginia Education Association Legislative Achievement Award, 2009
  • Infant/Toddler Family Day Care – Achievement Award, 2007
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation “2005 Outstanding Educator Award” honoring significant contributions in helping Fairfax County students attain their educational goals
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation – Community Service Award for extraordinary commitment and leadership in improving public education for youth and adults in the Reston community and in the Commonwealth of Virginia, both as a professional educator and as a legislator, 2003
  • Legislator Appreciation Recognition, Education for Independence Programs in Virginia, 2000
  • Establishment of the Kenneth R. Plum Scholarship to the outstanding graduating senior, Fairfax County Public Schools, enrolled in “Project Opportunity.”
  • Legislative Leadership Award, Virginia Literacy Council, for leadership in and support of basic education and high school completion programs and private literacy provider organizations, 1996
  • Outstanding Service to Young Children Award, Northern Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children, 1995
Civic and Economic Leadership
  • Community Partner Award, Giving Circle of HOPE, 2014
  • Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce – Pinnacle Award, 2007
  • John Sturdivant Memorial Award for outstanding leadership and service to the state, county, and community from the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee, 2001
  • Internet Leadership Award, U.S. Internet Council, for advancing sound public policies for the Internet, 1999
  • Virginia Economic Bridge – Leadership Award for promoting jobs throughout Virginia, 1999
  • “Tech Tenure” Award for innovative and positive efforts to strengthen technology businesses, further technology investments and broaden technology education and job training on behalf of the technology industry by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, 1999
  • “Tech Ten” Legislator for legislative leadership on behalf of the technology industry by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, three-time recipient, 1996, 1997, and 1998
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Legislative Council, a select group of opinion leaders strengthening the visibility of business issues on the national level, 1998 and 1999
  • Chosen by the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates to represent the General Assembly at the National Leadership Institute hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures, Aspen, Colorado, 1997
  • Public Citizen of the Year Award, National Association of Social Workers-Virginia Chapter, 1995-96
  • Outstanding Service Award, Virginia Network for Victims and Witnesses of Crime, Inc., 1994
  • Good Guy Award, National Women’s Political Caucus, 1992
Healthcare
  • Coalition for Northern Virginians with Mental Disabilities – Distinguished Leadership Award, 2007
  • Virginia Association of Health Plans – Distinguished Public Service Award, 2007
  • ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia – Appreciation Award, 2007
  • Recognition from the March of Dimes for the Expansion of the Newborn
    Screening Program, 2005
  • Mental Health Community Contributor Award by the Fairfax-Falls Church Mental Health Advocacy Community at the Mental Health awareness Week Conference, 2005
  • Co-Legislator of the Year, Alzheimer’s Association of Virginia, 2000
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart Citation for outstanding legislative support to Virginia’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Veterans and their families, 1996
  • Legislative Leadership Award, Virginia Center on Aging, for leadership in and support of aging-related issues in the General Assembly, 1996
  • Drug Abuse Prevention “Warrior of the Year,” 1990