Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Service on Committees/Task Forces involving schools:

• Citizens' Capital Budget Advisory Committee (CCBAC): 2005-2008
• Governor Martin School Building Solutions Committee: 2006-2007
• Charlotte Advocates for Education: Board of Directors 2005-2006
• Partners for School Reform 2004-2006
• Superintendents Standards Review Committee:  2006-2007
• Huntersville School Advisory Committee: 2008 to present 

Previous Involvement in CMS:  

1. Recipient of the NC PTA Oak Leaf Award for outstanding individual volunteer; May 2004.
2. Founder and Leader of F.U.M.E. (Families United for North Mecklenburg Education), an effective grassroots advocacy group with the mission of being a positive voice for change in education; 2003 to date.
3. PTA Volunteer in various capacities since 1997

Business and Civic Experience:

1. Girl Scout Council:  Volunteer Leader 1997 to present. 
2. University City United Methodist Church:  Member 1991 to 2006.  Areas of service included:  Choir, Spirit Singers, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and more.
3. University City Women's Group:  Member 1991-1999.  Served as Vice-President of Programs, Charity Fashion Show Chair for 3 years.
4. Carolina Foundation for Oral Health:  former Board member and Board Treasurer.
5. Lake Forest Church: 2007 to present.  Bolivia Mission team 2007 and 2008.
6. Cub Scout volunteer- Day Camp nurse, Den helper.
7. 15 years of experience in medical device and pharmaceutical sales; ranging from Fortune 50 to Biotech start ups.
8. Registered Nurse since 1982; Currently an Emergency Department nurse at Presbyterian Hospital
9. Realtor at Keller Williams Realty Cornelius

Education/Background

• South Meck High School, Class of 1979
• Central Piedmont Community College, Associate in Nursing, 1981
• University of North Carolina Charlotte, Bachelors in Business Administration, 1988
• 31 Year Mecklenburg County resident:
• Training and work experience in Public Relations, Customer Service, Marketing and Sales
• Long Term Commitment to community involvement

Candidate Statement:

Strong public schools are the foundation of our community.  North county citizens deserve a representative who will be a positive and fiscally conservative voice on the school board.   I am the candidate for the north county's District 1 School Board seat who will work to put the focus on what really matters -- exercising fiscal responsibility while providing safe schools and opportunities for academic success for all children.

School board members must work together to find solutions that benefit our entire community as well as the needs of our north county students.  As a local citizen advocate for the past 6 years, I have worked in collaboration with school board members to achieve board approval of several initiatives, including successful measures to reduce overcrowding in our suburban schools.  My advocacy and organization have succeeded with not only the Board of Education, but also the County Commission and the town boards of Cornelius, Huntersville and Davidson.  I get results!

During the current budget crisis, our citizens need a voice of the board with a solid business background and experience in budgeting.  I served on the county's Citizens' Capital Budget Advisory Committee (CCBAC) and worked hand in hand with county staff on budget issues.  I have a B.A. in Business Administration from UNCC and lengthy work experience with Fortune 500 Companies.

I have lived in Mecklenburg County for 31 years and am a CMS graduate with three children now in CMS Schools.  I have been involved in many civic and school groups with my focus on children and children's issues.  With the formation of F.U.M.E (Families United for North Mecklenburg Education) in 2003, I raised my involvement to a new level and improved the public education of our children through positive grassroots advocacy.