Kraig Sanders displayed early signs of leadership when he was elected president of his graduating class at APHS. He was named a High School Track and Field All-American and was selected as Scholar/Athlete of the Year by the Red Bank Register. Kraig traveled quite a distance from Asbury Park to attend Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, one of the country''s most prestigious colleges, on a full track scholarship. In 1984, he was a Track and Field Jr. National''s finalist. From 1985-1987, he was NCAA Pac 10 Track and Field finalist. He graduated in 1987 with a B.S. in civil engineering.

Kraig never forgot his Shore roots, returning to the area to work as a project engineer for New Jersey Natural Gas Company for six years. Thereafter, he was employed by AT&T Communications for eleven years as a technology and signaling systems engineer. In 2005, Kraig''s leadership qualities were recognized when he returned to NJ Natural Gas Company as pressure management and transmission manager. In that position, he manages the daily activities for a team of 22 management and union workers. He is responsible for the operations and maintenance of all NJNG transmission pipelines, pressure reduction stations, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities, delivering natural gas supplies from Tennessee, texas, and Canada to 450,000 customers in Morris Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Kraig has always believed in the importance of community involvement. He was very active in NJNG''s Project Venture, serving as a mentor and engineering tutor for students in the Asbury Park Middle School. He also volunteers in the Belmar Recreation program as a girls'' youth coach for basketball, soccer, and softball.

Kraig views his most rewarding accomplishment as becoming a parent to his two daughters, Shani and Maya. He reflects the belief that "it takes a village" when he says, "I was blessed to be raised by two very strong parents, four grandparents, three siblings, along with many, many relatives, friends, and community members who all helped to lay the foundation for my development as a parent. I trily believe that family is the foundation for society."

The quotation that Kraig feels best reflects his philosophy is "theory without practice is empty - practice without theory is blind" - Kwame Nkrumah