For House 21A
I am a computer and consulting professional who made a mid-life career change to public service. After receiving my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, I worked for Hewlett-Packard writing computer manuals, and then moved to writing for computer magazines, including such well-known ones as Byte, PC World, Computerworld, and MacWorld.
After that, I became a research director for Gartner, the world's leading information technology research and advisory company. It was during this time that I started getting interested in government and public service, and I began work on a Masters of Public Administration degree at Boise State University. An MPA is like an MBA, except it's focused on government.
As part of my MPA program, I served as an intern with the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, the committee of the Idaho Legislature that makes preliminary budgeting decisions on which the entire Legislature votes. I attended all of the budget hearings that session and found them fascinating, and decided I wanted to find a way to continue taking part. Since then, I've written about the Legslature and JFAC for the website www.newwest.net/StateOfTechnology, one of my blogs.
During this time, Gartner had a reduction in force and I formed my own small business, Gem State Community Development. Community development is similar to economic development with more of a focus on quality of life issues and developing a sense of place around a community. I do a certain amount of pro bono work in my practice to gain experience and to give back to my community. My clients and projects have included the U.S. Forest Service, the city of Kuna, the Association of Idaho Cities, the Idaho Rural Partnership and its Community Review program, the Kuna Boys and Girls Club, the Kuna Senior Center, the Santa Fe Institute, and Sage Community Resources and the Southwest Area Agency on Aging. I also was a research assistant at Boise State and worked on projects with the Idaho Commission for Libraries, the Idaho Commission on the Arts, and the Gallatin Group.
In the area of community service, I am a sixth-degree member of the Grange and serve as both steward and lecturer of the Kuna Grange, and treasurer of the Ada County Pomona Grange. I am also a charter member of Kuna Kiwanis. In addition, I serve on the Ada County Historic Preservation Council. I am certified in adult CPR and AED, and in wilderness first aid. I am a proud gun owner and hold a concealed carry permit and a motorcycle license.
Professional organizations to which I belong include the Urban Land Institute, Idaho Planning Association, Idaho Smart Growth, US Green Building Council Idaho chapter, Green LEEDers, and the American Society of Public Administrators. On the personal level, I am a member of the Friends of the Kuna Library, Kuna Chamber of Commerce (including the Economic Development Committee), City Club, Idaho Environmental Forum, and the Idaho Conservation League. I have also been a member of the PTA for all my daughter's schools and serve on the Idaho PTA Legislative Committee.
Politically, I am a precinct captain and have volunteered on a number of political campaigns here in Idaho, including Walt Minnick, Howard Dean, Larry Grant, Mike Wilson, Steve Erskine, Zella Johnson, and Lisa Bachman.
Personally, I am divorced with a ten-year-old daughter Margaret. She attends Kuna public schools and received her First Communion at St. Paul's in Nampa. We now attend Risen Christ. Her dad and many members of her dad's extended family live in Kuna and we enjoy spending time with them. My daughter calls herself my campaign manager. My significant other is Marine Sergeant Andrew Studley, a statistical consultant in Connecticut.