Uniquely qualified to create, design and leads federal, state, and local advocacy efforts Exceptional ability to providing legislative testimony, and maintaining relationships with the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of Government. Extensive experience with legislative research activities, issue development, bill summaries, and comprehensive session summaries. Superior communicator with a background in addressing large groups and facilitating small groups. On-going relationships with Minnesota locally elected officials, Minnesota Legislature and Federal delegation.
Professional Experience
Director01/2004 - CurrentMinnesota School Boards AssociationSt. Peter, MN
Responsible for the overall development, direction and coordination of the Association's governmental relations program at the local, state, and federal level.
Represents every Minnesota public school district through the Association.
This responsibility includes legislative testimony, monitoring hearing and floor sessions, which include relations with legislators, the Executive Branch, and State Agencies.
Supervising and drafting legislative bills and amendments to bills for MSBA.
Coordinates MSBA activities Created, implemented, and coordinated many programs with the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Association of Minnesota Townships, and the League of Minnesota Cities.
Troubleshoots state and federal legislative bills that could be harmful or problematic for Minnesota elected school boards.
Responsible for legal issue arising out of legislation or rulemaking.
In 2011 lead, and coordinated the writing 3 briefs dealing with the on going needs of school district during the State shutdown.
Judge Blatz decided in favor of MSBA briefs that guaranteed full education funding of $443,463,700 to K-12 schools regardless of whether the State is in a budget shutdown.
Experienced in public speaking yearly leading seminars, training sessions and keynote speech.
Director of Governmental Relations/ Assistant Commissioner01/2002 - 01/2004Minnesota Department of Labor and IndustrySt. Paul, MN
Represented, implemented, and interpreted the DOLI legislative items.
Meet the challenge of leadership and evolving career assignment at DOLI moving from lead lobbyist to Assistant Commissioner.
Negotiated DOLI's $8 million dollar multi-year lease.
Developed and communicated the agency's comprehensive budgetary and policy overviews for the State House and Senate committees Partnered with business and labor groups on a variety of agency initiatives.
Organized and persuaded the Worker Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) into agreement so that legislation could be enacted to streamline and clarify Workers Compensation law.
The WCAC's recommendations must be supported by a majority of business and labor members in order for legislation to be brought forward.
Created and initiated the Internal Policy Initiative Process for the Department of Labor and Industry.
Minnesota State Senator from Albert Lea and Austin 2000-2002 Re-election race was the 3rd closest political race in Minnesota history.
After three recounts and an election judge burning seventeen ballots I lost by three votes.
Served on the Education, K-12 Education Finance, Taxes, Income and Sales Tax Budget Division, Transportation, and Crime Prevention committees.
Author and advocated for bills with a strong focus on crime prevention, education, local economic development, tax policy, and transportation provided innovative ways to streamline government while holding them accountable for growth and spending.
Worked to secure funding for a disaster relief package reacting to the Farmland Foods fire, which destroyed one of Albert Lea's main employers.
This package included the creation of a TIF district, sales tax relief for construction of a multi-million dollar replacement facility, extension of employee unemployment benefits, and per pupil assistance for the Albert Lea Area Schools due to declining enrollment.
Selected for the Council of State Governments Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership, for my legislative leadership potential.
Elected School Board Member01/1992 - 01/2000
Negotiated with multiple school bargaining groups for salaries and benefits.
Secured passage of a bond referendum for $27 million dollar school enhancement and the construction of a new high school after previous referendum failures.
Developed and successfully passed legislation to require Minnesota's superintendents to disclose any financial incentive from past service during any new employment interviews.
Education
1989Minnesota State University - Public AdministrationMankato, MNPublic Administration
1986Bachelor of Science:Minnesota State University - Political Science and EconomicsMankato, MNPolitical Science and Economics
