Elaine McDaniel was born and raised in the state of Michigan and attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for her undergraduate degree.  She subsequently received an MBA here in California and has lived in California since 1963.  She worked as a manager of administration for the City of Long Beach and later worked as Fiscal Chief for the Dept. of Public Works, County of Los Angeles.  She was the Chief Deputy for the first Chief Information Officer of the County, and ended her career at the Department of Beaches and Harbors.  She has lived in Long Beach for the last 13 years.