Coming To Madison

In 1991, I had the opportunity to select my college of choice. I attended UW–Madison and when I looked for a foundation to build my future, I chose the City of Madison as my home. 

Madison has offered me a chance to understand myself in a surrounding that celebrates personal diversity, exploration of knowledge, and developing positive environment. In Madison, I found a home. 

 In 1995, at the age of 22, I was appointed to my first public committee by the Dane County Executive. 

It was soon followed up by my appointment to the Madison Library Board – a position that I maintain for 19 years.

 There is something magical about a library – a place of wonder, a place of learning and a place of community.

Proud Union Member

A union member for over 25 years, I was on my Union board for 12 years. 

As a Vice President, I learned first hand how important collective bargaining can be. 

During Act 10, I protested because Madison employees deserve to be treated fairly, compensated for the work they and receive benefits that support working families.

An Educator

After college, I went to work for the Madison Metropolitan School District in alternative education. Today, I work at Capital High, Madison’s sixth high school.

In 1996, I along with two others, founded the Madison chapter of GLSEN (now GSAFE). 

I recognized as a school district employee the struggles and challenges that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students, staff members and families face. 

While in recent years, discussion of these issues in schools have become commonplace, at the time it was a very difficult conversation with few champions. Locally we made efforts to educate our staff and community, empower our youth and support our allies.

Wisconsin AIDS Ride

Just before being elected Alder in 2005, I became active at AIDS Network, eventually becoming Board President and Chair of the ACT Ride 9 (2010-2011). 

 In 2012, I even successfully rode the four-day, three hundred miles Wisconsin AIDS Ride raising over $1,400 for HIV/AIDS services right here in Dane County.

Madison Common Council

In 2005, I was first elected to the Madison Common Council. In 2013, I ran in a new district based upon district boundaries and served the residents in District 12 for six years until retiring in 2019. As Alder, I enjoyed navigating the complexity of the city, serving on at least 17 committees!

One of my first challenges was the closing of the Royster-Clark fertilizer plan on Cottage Grove Road, foreshadowing one of my last challenges on the Council, the closures of the Oscar Mayer plant and offices. 

Highlights including meeting the Dalai Lama twice!

Regional Planning

In 2007, I was appointed to the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC).

Initially, I was a naive commission member not understanding regional challenges. I’m proud to have to have been elected Chair in 2011 and been able to steer the development of a regional development plan that focuses on developing Dane County more compactly and preserving our farm land and environmental space for future generations.  

I have also been a member of the Greater Madison MPO including serving as Chair from 2018-2019.