Biography:

Date/Place of Birth:
Canton, Ohio - 01/06/58

Residency in Alaska:
Resident of District 8 since 1990
Resident of Alaska since 1976
Resident in following Alaskan communities 1976-1990: Hoonah, Bethel, Fort Yukon, Fairbanks, Seward

Occupation:
Government Affairs Director, Alaska Primary Care Association 10/05 - 11/11; Special Projects Volunteer Director, Crossroads Community Church, Palmer 01/95 - 12/05; Contract Academic Instructor, Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, Palmer Correctional Center 10/98 - 12/03; Summer Theatre Conservatory Director, LCCP/Haines; VPA/Wasilla 1999, 2000, 2003; Substitute Teacher, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District 09/95 - 05/97; Fort Yukon School District Resource Center Assistant 08/87 - 05/88; Data Coordinator/Secretary, Phillips Alcoholism Treatment Center, Bethel, Alaska 11/85 - 11/86; KYUK Newscaster, Volunteer, Bethel, Alaska 09/85 - 05/87; Teacher, Mount Bethel Christian School, Hoonah, Alaska 09/76 - 09/81; Proud Stay-at-Home Mother of 4 (interspersed with contracts and part-time work) 1980 - 2003

Family:
Husband - Roger (married 36 years)
Children - Peter, Clara, Emily, and Tyler
Grandchildren - Keithan, Caden, Noah, Owen, + one on the way

Education:
University of Alaska, Bachelor of Arts in English, 2002. Summa cum Laude. Rhetoric.
Cuyahoga Community College, Assoc. of Arts, 1985. Magna cum Laude, Valedictorian. Cleveland, Ohio.
- Alaska Public Health Association Health Achievement Award 2009
- Betsey K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award 2008
- Chancellor’s Scholar 2001
- National Collegiate Mathematics Award 2002
- English Department Scholarship Award Spring 2002
- International English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta
- Golden Key National Honor Society
- The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Military:
Alaska All Academies Association, Founder, Past-President
- (support organization for cadets/plebes and families at 5 military academies)
Son and Son-in-Law: USAF Reserves, USAF Officer, Active Duty
Husband: Vietnam Veteran

Other Political and Government Positions:
Legislative Aide for Representative Gatto, Alaska State Legislature 12/03 - 01/05

Service Organizations and Community Involvement:
Alaska All Academies Association, Founder, Past-President
Alaska Outdoor Council
Commonwealth North
American Association of University Women
Resource Development Council
Make Alaska Competitive Coalition
National Rifle Association
Conservative Patriots Group
Mat-Su Republican Women’s Club
Valley Republican Women’s Club
Wasilla Chamber of Commerce
Palmer Chamber of Commerce
Mat-Su Health Foundation
Mat-Su Business Alliance
Palmer Toastmasters
Palmer Lions Club
Alaska State Fair
State Agriculture and Rural Leaders - Alaska Representative
Outdoor Heritage Council
Recover Alaska
NCSL Labor and Economic Development
NCSL Redistricting and Elections
CSG Public Safety and Justice Task Force
Troop 49 Girl Scouts

Other Information:
Previous Volunteer Affiliations

- Palmer Little League
- Girl Scouts
- Pioneer Peak PTA
- Colony Middle School Band Boosters
- Valley Festival of Arts
- Colony High School Boys & Girls Basketball

Special Interests:
Grandchildren, Military, Church, Volunteer Work, Speed Walking*, Comedy, the Arts, Travel, Outdoors**
*I like the fact I walk so fast that I pass tall men in airports.
**My children have offered to teach me to snow board but I have not yet accepted the invitation.