Columbia County Commissioner No. 3 · Columbia County

I am a lifelong resident of Columbia County. My experiences as a small business owner, farmer, and supporter of many non-profit initiatives have shaped my understanding of the needs in Columbia County. Maintaining essential services and functions of county government is a high priority. As operating costs continue to rise, supporting job growth in a rural county of small businesses and agribusinesses is critical, as it reduces economic vulnerability and creates stable opportunities for residents and local government. I will fulfill my roles and responsibilities while advocating in the county and beyond for opportunities that create value and security for our residents. I appreciate the sense of connection our small rural community can provide for families. As your commissioner, I would support and maintain investments in critical infrastructure and focus on identifying risks and modernizing systems to improve efficiency and better serve the future. My roles in labor, orchard management, and serving as a trustee at Walla Walla Community College have helped shape my leadership in policy development, labor relations, and budget management, and have reinforced the importance of transparent communication to build trust, improve collaboration for decision-making, and reduce conflict.

I grew up near Prosser, married for 58 years and moved to the Touchet Valley in 1975. I managed the CDA Tribal Farm for over 30 years and at the same time I managed my own farming operation in Columbia County. I have over 30 year’s experience both working for a board of directors and serving on a board of directors. I learned the importance of achieving consensus while being extremely careful in the handling of other people’s money, in this case tax dollars. My track record of successfully managing business along with four years as county commissioner gives me the knowledge and ability to lead as we move Columbia County forward. My priority is always to maintain a positive cash flow. We need to find common goals, reduce red tape and support new business in our county. I will strive to find common goals we can all support, spend carefully, reduce regulations and focus on local issues.