Jane served as Policy Advisor to Governor Tom Vilsack, Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health and Executive Liaison with the Iowa Department of Agriculture. For the past 17 years, she has provided consulting services to multiple federal, state, and local governments, providing assistance with planning and training. Some of her key efforts include:
AGRICULTURE
Jane Developed and delivered FEMA training courses on response and recovery from livestock disease and avian influenza. These courses were designed to help prevent and reduce the impact of animal disease and aid farmers in rapid recovery in order to reduce loss and return to business as quickly as possible.
FAMILIES
Jane drafted the Iowa Emergency Managers Family Assistance Center Planning Template to help connect victims of disasters with services in their communities. This template has been used by counties throughout Iowa. The Warren County Comprehensive Land Use Plan for 2044 identifies this as a future initiative. Jane intends to initiate this process immediately, if elected.
SCHOOL SAFETY
Jane managed planning efforts between the Iowa Emergency Managers Association, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Education and the FBI to develop a reunification plan for active shooter events in schools. She helped to establish the pilot school rapid response team at Heartland AEA. This team of mental health professionals and logistics experts deployed to recent event at Perry High School. If elected, Jane will help to coordinate planning for this team in Warren County.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
As a volunteer, Jane raised the funds that ultimately saved the historic 1870 Palmyra Methodist Episcopal Church and preserved this important Warren County landmark for future generations.
Watch the video HERE
SCHOOL PLANNING
Under funding from the Iowa Department of Education, Jane coordinated statewide planning workshops to assist schools with efforts to respond to a number of natural and man-made disasters and coordinated statewide active shooter training. Jane also served on the Iowa School Safety Alliance.
DISASTER RESPONSE
Jane served three years on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. She developed numerous operational procedures and guidance documents for state and local government public health agencies. For her effort, she received the CDC Award for Excellence in Frontline Public Health Service.
CHILDREN
Following hurricane Katrina, it took 6 months to reunify the last missing child with their family. To address this crisis, Jane worked with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to develop the national plan to expedite reunification of children and families following a major disaster.
GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION
Served on a governor’s select team to identify areas within state government agencies to increase efficiency, reduce taxpayer costs, and maximize federal funding. She received an award from Governor Tom Vilsack the for saving Iowans hard earned tax dollars. She looks forward to working with county employees to identify opportunities to save additional dollars.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
In partnership with Warren County Hometown Pride, Jane provided free grant writing workshops and technical assistance for community non-profit organizations to help raise funds to support a variety of projects. One successful effort provided funds to the Ackworth Garden Club to plant new gardens at Brownie Park in Norwalk.
Education
Bachelor of Science
University of Southern California – Biological Sciences
Masters of Arts
Gonzaga University – Organizational Leadership