Preparation for my work as your State Senator began at the grassroots level 20 years ago where, as a parent of two young boys, I was active in our school system and a member of the school site council. I was then elected to the office of County Commissioner, and now am honored to serve the 31st Senate District in Topeka.
Along with this opportunity to serve the public sector, my husband and I have raised two sons on our family farm. Through the years I have been given the opportunity to serve in other capacities as a member of non-profit boards and chair of committees that affect our future.
As a fourth generation citizen of the 31st Senate District, I continue to work on sound public policy to improve our economy to create a better future for us, our children and our grandchildren.
Here is a brief overview of my career:
General Information
Occupation:
Kansas State Senator
Co-Owner Family Grain Production Farm
Project Consultant for RW Beck Engineering Firm
Past Employment:
Sedgwick County Commissioner, 1998-2004
Sedgwick Public Schools, Jr. High Coach and Substitute teacher, 1995-1998
Crop Insurance Adjuster, Farm Bureau Insurance, 1995-1998
Education:
Friends University – Wichita, KS
Master of Science in Environmental Studies, 1998
Directed Study: Non-Point-Source Pollution in Agricultural and Rural Area Education Program.
Wichita State University, Barton School of Business – Wichita, KS
Bachelor of Business Administration, 1983
Degree in Marketing
Valley Center High School – Valley Center, KS, 1977
Legislative Leadership and Committees:
- Natural Resources Committee, Chair, 2005-present
- Energy and Environment Joint Committee, Chair, 2008-present
- Ways and Means Committee, 2005-present, Vice Chair 2009-present
- Utilities, 2009-present
- Local Government, 2009-present
- Joint Committee on Kansas Security, 2005-present
- Home and Community Based Services Oversight Joint Committee, Chair, 2009-present
- Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation Board of Directors, 2009-present
National Appointments and Involvement:
- Current Co-Chair of the Council of State Governments (CSG) Midwest, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, 2005-present
- Current Vice-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Energy and Environment Committee 2009-present
- NCSL High-Level Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Working Group 2005- present
- The Energy Council, Executive Committee Member, 2007-present
- CLEER, Executive Committee Member and Kansas Representative, 2008-present
- CSG Midwestern Radioactive Waste Materials Transportation Committee, 2006-2010
Board of Directors, Advisory Committees:
Currently a Member Of:
- YWCA Domestic Crisis Center of Sedgwick County Board Member, 2007-present
- Member of several Sedgwick and Harvey County Chambers of Commerce 1999-present
- Newton Regional Hospital Advisory Council, 2007-present
- Sand Extraction and Development Study in Intensive Groundwater Areas Task Force Chair, 2004-present
- The Kansas African American Museum Board, 2003-2008, ex-officio 2008-present, past President
Has Been a Member Of:
- Kansas Geological Survey Advisory Committee, 2006-2010, Past Vice President
- Kansas Learning Center for Health, 2005-2011
- Lower Arkansas Basin Advisory Committee Member, 2004-2011
- Kansas Association of Counties Board Member, 2003-2004
- Greater Wichita Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Member, 2002-2004
- Wichita Downtown Development Corporation Member, 2001-2004
- Old Cow Town Museum Board Member 1998-2004, Past President
- Kansas Farm Bureau State Committee Member, Natural Resources, 1995 -1998
- Sedgwick County Farm Bureau Member 1995-1998, Past Vice President
- Andale Farmers’ Coop Board Member, 1993-1998
Awards and Recognition:
- Sedgwick Commission Award for Service to South Central Kansas as Chair of the South Central Kansas Legislative Delegation – 2008
- Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award – 2006
- The National Council of Negro Women, Leadership & Outreach Legacy Award – 2004
- H.O.P.E. Inc., Outstanding Support of H.O.P.E. Inc. – June 15, 2004
- Kansas Farm Bureau Natural Resources Award – 1995, 1996, 1997
- United Teachers of Wichita Friend of Education – 2011
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Kansas Legislative Excellence Award – 2011