I grew up in a very politically active Progressive Democrat household in Madison, Wisconsin in the 1960s.  During college I was active in many social justice causes and worked part-time doing grassroots organizing for Greenpeace.  A summer internship at the Solar Lobby in Washington, DC in the early 1980s further sparked my interest in the political process.  I graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree focusing on technology and development, with an emphasis on renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind power.  I proceeded to follow a career working with local, state, and federal government agencies as well as non-profits on resource management issues - specifically energy, water and solid waste management.  

 

During the 1990s I spent 7 years as a Senior Research Associate at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a world-renowned energy policy think-tank.  While there, I served on a White House Office of Science and Technology panel looking at the potential impacts of Climate Change; as well as on a "Greening of the White House" team (under contract with PNNL/Battelle) and projects for the US EPA and the US Department of Energy. I've worked for local water agencies serving less than 100 to the Municipal Water District o of Southern California, which serves 19 million customers.  

 

Over the years I have served on numerous local government boards including an Environmental Board, a Planning and Zoning Board, twice as an elected Town Councilor, vice-chair of Colorado's 2nd largest public transit agency.  As Mayor, I currently serve on the board of the Island County Economic Development Commission, the Island County Council of Governments, the regional tourism committee, and a regional salmon recovery task force.   

​

In 2018 I served at the Chair of the Island County Democrats but I consider myself a staunch, die-hard independent thinker and like to consider all viewpoints.  I am able to get along with people who have opposing views, even when they don't get along with me because I stay focused on the issues and not personalities.

​

​