Making Government Work for You
- Born and raised American Christian, Jean comes from a long line of U.S. veterans who served in WWI, WWII and other conflicts – in defense of the United States, its people, their freedoms and lives.
- Continuing the mission and help to others of all ages, Jean has worked long hours, 2-3 jobs, and in numerous positions and roles. Help and service to others included what she could do on numerous boards, commissions, task forces, committees, councils, advisories, and other positions.
- A former Fortune 500 corporate auditor in finance and operations, a financial executive, founder and co-founder of businesses and nonprofits – Jean switched to improving government systems by legislation, policy changes, appropriations, and otherwise - to better serve Minnesotans.
- Using her own time, talent, skills, experience, funds and inheritance - Jean spent many years in helping Minnesotans live, thrive, build wealth, and have better futures. She worked to build and expand Minnesota economically and in various sectors across the state, nationally, and internationally including by Governor’s Trade Missions.
- Jean works collaboratively with all towards goals and solutions needed by Minnesotans, communities, academia, businesses and other entities, at the local, state, national and international levels.
Experience includes, but is not limited to: agriculture, farming and accessible quality food; administration and management; finance; investments; business and commerce (statewide, nationally and globally); consumer protection; creating jobs in all sectors, economic development and infrastructures; education K-12, higher education, community and professional education, life-long learning opportunities; affordable healthcare and affordable housing for all (numerous areas); environment and natural resources; help and services for all ages including human services and legal services; justice and the judiciary; labor and unions; public safety; transportation; sensible taxes that work for people so they can live & thrive, and where our economy can grow; veterans and military affairs; and being a U.S. Dept. of Justice NOVA first responder at the call of the US President and Governors.
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- Involvement in numerous local, state and national civic and nonprofit groups as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Homes for All, the list goes on.
- Worked with V.P. Al Gore, Ambassadors, US Secretaries as Arne Duncan (US Dept. Education), Donna Shalala (U.S. Health & Human Services), various U.S. Health & Human Services Committees, Julian Castro & Ben Carson (HUD), Secretary (General) Shinseki (VA), and others. Natl. Governors Association; Governors, members of Congress and elected officials of several states as Hawaii, Nevada, California, Florida, Washington, Virginia, Maryland; Natl. Council of State Legislatures. Reconnected to White House staff including Ambassador to Trade.
- Worked with Governor Walz’s Cabinet members/Commissioners of State agencies & staff. Was on Governor Arne Carlson (R) SubCabinet doing School Redesign. Worked with various Executive Directors of MN Trade Office, staff of the past World Trade Centers, members of Congress, and legislators & elected officials in both major parties.
- Leveraged access via properties in other states & Governors, members of Congress & other elected officials & organizations there including Chambers.
- Father a veteran & government employee, mother a nurse, but had small businesses too. Family (parents, siblings, children, relatives) in hospitality, retail, healthcare, government, other areas, plus having small business.
- She farmed in SD 54 and other areas, helped fund some start-ups and emerging businesses.
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Corporate experience also includes:
- Financial executive (hospital, manufacturers, suppliers), small business CEO, Founder & Co-Founder of some small businesses (and nonprofits). Management in banking, insurance, credit and real estate companies. Some media work creating cable TV programs, newspapers reporter/photographer/editor, working on a potential Disney program that’s educational (vital information) & entertaining.
- She supported and fostered innovations & technologies, especially in medical equipment & devices, healthcare, housing, food and other industries. This included involving students and partners in STEM, robotics, and other technologies.
- As a grant reviewer for City, State and National government agencies including Depts of Employment & Economic Development, Health, Human Services, Education; foundations and funders including United Way – she helped fund many entities at the local, state and national levels, and personally funded others too.
- Jean worked on inventing the first alert system that predates the current First Alert, but passed it on to others involved as Disney, IBM, Aerospace, and others when $20m in research & development was asked.
- She’s been an educator, event planner, producer of numerous conferences in Minnesota and nationally. Some education via major media. She has been an educator for K-12, college, post graduate, continuing education credits, community, professionals, and others.
- Jean founded and co-founded multiple businesses and nonprofits. Work experience included starting from low wage and no wage jobs; working 2-3 jobs to move up, and jobs while working on her MBA, PhD, legal studies, certifications, licenses and other credentials. Education expanded to other fields as medical, including medical devices, public health, agriculture, economic development, housing, real estate, the list goes on. She built her own home by hand similar to Habitat models, but used licensed professionals for certain specialty and harder areas as plumbing, electrical, heating, carpentry, etc.