ABOUT ME
I've been married to my lovely wife Anne for 21 wonderful years. We have five daughters, Alexandra, Lillian, Margaret, Odilia, and Winifred. My family has lived in Oshkosh for 8 generations. I was raised by two wonderful parents that both worked in education. My mother taught in the Oshkosh Public School system for 32 years and then taught future teachers at UWO. My father Dale worked at Derksens and eventually was a custodian at Webster Stanley school where he worked along side my mother. My brother Jeremy had been involved in the local music scene and I had the privilege to play with him in the B-Side Revivals, a 50's and 60's cover band which played all over the region. My brother is also 4 years into recovery and is open and vocal about his recovery journey. As a 15 year 12-step attendee myself, I was blessed to help him along the way. I have two courageous sisters that came back into our lives after being given up for adoption when my mother was in college. My family goes well beyond blood as I have many brothers and sisters through faith and friendships all over. I am honored that they are all supportive of my re-election for Winnebago County Executive.
I opened our restaurant in 2004. We survived through everything from the market crash in 08' to the Covid-19 shutdowns. We have always been a community minded business that believes in giving back and setting an example of what it means to be a good corporate neighbor. A year ago, my wife and I decided we could not effectively run a business at the same time I was running a county. We made the decision to close our doors so I could focus on where I could do the most good for the most people.
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As your county executive, I have been focused on bringing transparency and professionalism to county government. I fixed our dysfunctional pay plan and low morale issues allowing us to retain as well as recruit the best talent for Winnebago County. When we are fully staffed, our services can be held to high standards. It was hard to keep our highways plowed before we were fully staffed. I was proud to accomplish that goal.
We have begun our first strategic planning process as well as our first facilities condition assessment as well as a master plan. We are well on our way to breaking down our fund accounting in a way to show how our actuals are doing in comparison to our budget. We have restored checks and balances within Winnebago County finances, but we still have work to do. Fiscal forecasting is on the horizon. These were all things that should have been implemented long before I arrived. None of this would have been possible had I not advocated for adding a Director of Administration and other administrative positions such as a management and financial analyst, assistant to the county executive and others. Without this support staff, inefficiencies and accountability would have been almost impossible to establish. Cheap and conservative are not the same word. Without proper oversight, control is hidden within the silos of departments, and not in a chief elected official that is held accountable to the people.
A county executive has no authority over law enforcement, but works in tandem to provide services to improve outcomes. The goal is to break the cycle of criminal activity before it begins, or to work with people while, and after they have been incarcerated. We focus on mental health, safe and reliable infrastructure, economic development, and other quality of life aspects of our citizens through a multitude of services, access to our waterways, and wide open spaces.
This takes skills in strategic planning, organizational management, and compromise. Different departments can often have priorities and policies that directly compete
with each other. It is the executive’s job to help find the best way forward, balancing the needs of many in a way that is best for all. Then, you need to bring those needs to the county board, and guide policy decisions to fill the needs in our communities. I have heard it said, “if everyone is a little upset, that means it was a good and fair deal.” I have made many good and fair deals.
There have been bumps along the way. As expected, I have been challenged by some who were accustomed to the status quo. Change is hard, and it takes courage to enact it. I will continue to stand tall for you and what you deserve.
My involvement in the community has always been a high priority for me. I received a 4 under 40 award and also was inducted into the North High School hall of fame.I served as the Chairman of the board of directors for the Chamber of commerce. I was a founding member of the Oshkosh Kids Foundation and also served on the Board for the Day by Day shelter.
I founded Heroes of Oshkosh which now has grown to over 8,000 members and has helped thousands of families throughout Oshkosh and beyond. Multiple chapters have sprung up throughout the region giving those who need and those who have extra a place to connect and bring the definition of neighbors back to life. We also used this group to help bring some of our non-profits together working in collaborative efforts to help those in the most need among our community. I have brought that spirit to the county where we are now more connected than ever.
I am proud of the fact that we helped nonprofits through the Neighborhood Investment Grants as well as our Spirit Fund allocations. A community’s strength comes from its nonprofits and faith based organizations. I am proud to say we are much stronger as a county from our efforts on this front.
During the pandemic, they charged full speed ahead and met the needs of our citizens. They are stronger now than they were and more equipped to meet the needs if the occasion ever arises again. In times of emergency, it is important that we have objective and understanding leaders in place to keep empathy and understanding at the forefront of any government effort. I can safely say, Winnebago County has come a long way in this regard with myself at the helm.