Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 73; Democratic Party

I am not a career politician. I have 30 plus years of experience in IT management and consulting, most recently in business analysis and project management of custom software development for the automotive industry. My role has been to listen to business problems, evaluate alternatives with computer people and business user on technical and non-technical, and manage development and implementation of technical and process solutions. My experience spans many industries and types of applications including automotive, consumer products, manufacturing, financial and publishing industries.

My education includes an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA in math from Ripon College.

I have always been a participant in community activities especially related to education and youth, starting with my Peace Corp experience, teaching math in Belize. I've been active in the League of Women Voters, volunteered as a Big Sister, coordinated my company's computer tutoring at a Boys and Girls Club, tutored reading to adults, and participated in organizing AWT (Association of Women in Technology)'s technology/math events for middle school girls. I also spent a vacation volunteering for an Earthwatch Leatherback Turtles project in the Virgin Island.

I have always paid attention to politics and what is happening in my community and the world. I grew up in a rising middle class family in Madison, Wisconsin, with an emphasis on education and where my grandfather, a farmer and banker, was a Republican State Assemblyman. Family discussions of politics and current events were the norm at our kitchen table. My sister and I were always encouraged in math/technical areas since my father was an accountant/banker and my mother had a college degree in math. We also had a father who treated us as daughters who should be exposed to ice skating, fishing, changing tires and repairing things around the house. No wonder I'm in computers and my sister is an engineer!

I became active in southern California politics in the past four years, working in precinct organizing, precinct walking, Democratic club activities, and assisting with the Steve Young campaign for US Congress. I've been an elected 73rd Assembly District delegate to the California State Convention for the past four years.

I have lived in southern California for 22 years, and in my current home in San Clemente for 12 years. I am married to Bill Walter, an engineer with Fluor Corporation. We both enjoy living in one of the best places in the world. We just completed the installation of solar panels on our roof and enjoy watching our electric meter run backwards.