Meet Norman
Norman Eric Hairston is a Gary West Side son, an MIT-trained engineer, a Stanford MBA, a published scientist, a deacon, and a father of three.
The
New Norm.
for County Council District 2
Rooted in Gary. For all Lake County.
Rooted in Gary.
Norm graduated as Salutatorian of Gary West Side High School, where he was named a National Merit Scholar. He is a proud member of the West Side Academic Hall of Fame.
Today, he is an active Deacon at New Revelation Missionary Baptist Church and has volunteered in support of elected leaders including Congressman Frank Mrvan and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton.
He is not Bishop Hairston. He is your neighbor. And he wants to serve Gary on the County Council.
A Career Built on Solving Difficult Problems
After earning degrees in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science from MIT where he competed in Division III Wrestling Nationals and an MBA from Stanford, Norm built a career in some of the most demanding arenas in American business.
He led Corning’s $50M Advanced Materials division and Mitsubishi Electric’s nine-figure technology solutions business across the Americas, consulted for major utilities, worked on laptop design at Intel, and helped launch a Silicon Valley optical startup.
He also introduced Corning’s CEO to Steve Jobs–a connection that led to Gorilla Glass, now used in billions of smartphones worldwide.
A published scientist whose work appeared in Nature, Norm understands complex systems, high-stakes negotiations, and the importance of getting the numbers right.
That’s exactly what Lake County needs at the council table.
Gary built Lake County.
It’s time Lake County invested in Gary.
Fiscal accountability.
Senate Enrolled Act 1 is restructuring how Indiana distributes revenue and Lake County stands to lose significant funding. Norm understands large enterprise budgets. He will read every line, ask every question, and ensure our community isn't left holding the bag.
Economic revitalization.
Norm has spent his career attracting investment and building business relationships at the highest levels. He will bring that same discipline to recruiting high-paying jobs and new industry to Lake County... starting with the communities that have waited the longest.
Transportation & connectivity.
Linking the CTA Red Line extension with the Metra tracks used by the South Shore Line would give Gary residents direct access to Chicago's full rail network. Norm understands the infrastructure logic and the economic case. He will push for it.
Responsible stewardship.
Every dollar the county spends on jail lawsuit settlements, mismanagement, and neglect is a dollar that doesn't go to health services, housing, or roads. Norm will bring discipline and accountability to every budget vote.
A Family Man.
Norm is the father of three accomplished children: his oldest daughter is studying nursing in Louisville; his second daughter graduated from UC Santa Barbara and works for Docusign in Chicago; and his son graduated from UC Berkeley and works in biotech in San Francisco.
He understands what it means to invest in a place… and what it costs when institutions fail the people who depend on them.
We can do better, together. This is the new norm.