Forest Lake is my Forever Home, and I want to help this community thrive. I am running for City Council because I believe this is a unique time that my talents, training, and experience can be of service to this community.

I moved to twenty acres in “the township” in December 1991.  I chose Forest Lake because the rolling hills, agricultural areas, climate, and downtown reminded me of western New York State where I grew up.  I’d lived several places for my education and career, but nowhere that spoke to me like Forest Lake does. I brought five horses, two dogs and a cat with me from Oklahoma, and they were immediately at home….even in that winter of ’91 snow.

I have one daughter, Wendy, who now lives in Austin, Tx.  Many folks in town remember her sitting in Council Chambers, or curled in a chair in the old library while I served on the Planning Commission or City Council.  Yes, she too, was raised in public service!

I spent 20 years in public works for the City of Minneapolis as a member of the senior staff and Director of Solid Waste and Recycling Services.  I left the city and worked for consulting firms doing community engagement, helping cities with RFPs and contracts for solid waste and recycling services, and planning activities.  I retired from consulting, until the City of Saint Paul drew me back to city public works.  I was the Director of Resident and Employee Services in Saint Paul until March of this year.

My schooling includes a B.S with majors in Aquatic Environments and Biology with a minor in Geology, and an M.S in Biology and Geology.  The scientific method of asking questions, using data to evaluate possible solutions, testing the solutions and refining the solutions is core to my personal and professional style. I am a voracious reader, continue to seek education opportunities, and believe that every day deserves the gift of learning something or someone new.