As a lifelong resident of Salt Lake County, I have a passion to see my community thrive and function well. I can use my circumstance and unique set of abilities to help Salt Lake County function proficiently in the county government system.
My formative years were spent growing up on the border of Midvale and Murray during the 70’s. Apollo missions to the moon captured the imagination, the best music ever made was on the radio, and soon computers would come along and usher in the digital age. It was a magical time of both personal growth and growth throughout the valley. We rode our bikes everywhere from the Capitol building to the point of the mountain, and from the U of U to Kennecott. Crime was not a concern in our carefree days. My schooling took me from carrying my saxophone to East Midvale Elementary to being honored with Hillcrest High School’s Mathematics Sterling Scholar. The junior high and high school buildings I attended are no longer the same edifices – much more modern and built for the challenges of today. As an adult, I chose to continue life in Salt Lake County. I attended the University of Utah and graduated with a degree in mathematics, a minor in physics, and an emphasis in Spanish. In addition to schooling, I married and helped raise 4 outstanding boys. At various times, I have lived in The Avenues, the Garden Park area, Cottonwood Heights, West Valley City, and currently in Millcreek.
My youth employment consisted mainly of paper routes, mowing lawns, and scooping Snelgrove’s Ice Cream. My adult employment is an eclectic bag of varied industries, continuing education, and crazy ideas. Out of college, I started working as a programmer in the financial services industry. I was able to use my math and programming skills to write award winning stock portfolio models. This led me to venture out on my own and hire a handful of others to start a software development company. The flagship product was a mass appraisal system showing information not available from any other contemporary system for every property in the five largest counties in Utah. To assist in this project, I acquired my real estate license and used the company’s software to help sell real estate in Salt Lake County as a Realtor.
I have witnessed a lot of change over these years. Salt Lake County is fast approaching wall to wall cities, housing costs are skyrocketing, water is at a premium, and crime is more pervasive. The constant I have found with people who live in this valley is goodness. Everywhere I have lived, worked, worshiped, or played has been met with good, kind people. This is the Salt Lake County that I know.
The good residents of the county deserve a government that reflects the values and promotes the general welfare of its citizens. Those that hold an elected position should be of uncompromising character, qualifications, and vision.
In 2012, I was asked by Wayne Cushing, the Salt Lake County Treasurer, to come work in his office. The opportunity was timely and intriguing. I streamlined processes, updated work spaces, and was quickly put into a position of trust. I took the opportunity to study at Northwestern University and then sit for (and pass) the notoriously difficult CTP (Certified Treasury Professional) exam. After several years in the office, I was appointed to be Wayne’s Chief Deputy Treasurer. Being sworn in with the duties and authority to act on behalf of the Treasurer, Wayne has taught me his job. Knowing that Wayne would be retiring and not seeking re-election after his term expired, he has helped me prepare to take over the duties of the office. Salt Lake County should know that Wayne Cushing has done an outstanding job in running the County Treasurer’s office with skill and integrity. Last year alone (2023), we saved the taxpayers of Salt Lake County 80 million dollars as a direct result of doing a great job collecting taxes. I will continue the excellent job that Wayne has done. I will add my unique abilities to further create processes that will benefit the good people of Salt Lake County. I am prepared to take over as Salt Lake County’s next Treasurer. I know the office and what the job entails. I have the knowledge, the temperament, and integrity needed to maintain the consistency throughout the office. I ask for your support and your vote to carry out this vision.