I grew up in Mason, Michigan, south of Lansing. My parents own property along Mudd Creek, and this was a great place to explore with our beagle in the summer. Each spring, our low-lying garden would flood and lots of migrating ducks would visit our "temporary pond."
I went to Mason Public Schools, and with each new school year I remember watching as the foliage came off the trees until I could see the bus before it turned the corner down our dirt road. I learned about being prepared and self-reliant when the inevitable winter storms would knock out our power and we'd use the fireplace to heat our home.
I went to Mason Public Schools, and with each new school year I remember watching as the foliage came off the trees until I could see the bus before it turned the corner down our dirt road. I learned about being prepared and self-reliant when the inevitable winter storms would knock out our power and we'd use the fireplace to heat our home.
After high school, I went to Eastern Michigan University, where I majored in general science and journalism. (I also met my husband, Bill, at EMU and we've been married now for 24 years.)
Since entering the workforce, I've had a number of different careers. I've been a journalist at a weekly paper, where I learned the importance of listening to people and getting things right. I was a small business owner where I learned about cash flow, making payroll by the "sweat of your own brow," and the importance of supporting other local businesses. And, I've worked on the cutting edge of the Internet industry, where I learned about the harm of hollow promises and the value of teamwork. In the six years I worked at the University of Michigan as an Administraitive Specialist, I learned about the importance of dialogue between the academic community, the business and nonprofit community, and community leaders. Each sector has something valuable to offer the others.
I am very active in Jackson County. I am the County's representative on the Upper Grand River Watershed Council, and I serve on the Summit Township Zoning Board of Appeals, as treasurer for The Producers friends group for the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, and I am a member of the 100+ Women Who Care, the Harriet A. Myer chapter of Business and Professional Women and Toastmasters International. I am currently completing my Masters in Public Administration at EMU.
I think we have a great county here. I want to work with you and for you to make it even better.
Since entering the workforce, I've had a number of different careers. I've been a journalist at a weekly paper, where I learned the importance of listening to people and getting things right. I was a small business owner where I learned about cash flow, making payroll by the "sweat of your own brow," and the importance of supporting other local businesses. And, I've worked on the cutting edge of the Internet industry, where I learned about the harm of hollow promises and the value of teamwork. In the six years I worked at the University of Michigan as an Administraitive Specialist, I learned about the importance of dialogue between the academic community, the business and nonprofit community, and community leaders. Each sector has something valuable to offer the others.
I am very active in Jackson County. I am the County's representative on the Upper Grand River Watershed Council, and I serve on the Summit Township Zoning Board of Appeals, as treasurer for The Producers friends group for the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, and I am a member of the 100+ Women Who Care, the Harriet A. Myer chapter of Business and Professional Women and Toastmasters International. I am currently completing my Masters in Public Administration at EMU.
I think we have a great county here. I want to work with you and for you to make it even better.