Senator, Minnesota State Senate, District 34, 2023-present

Senator, Minnesota State Senate, District 36, 2013-2023

Candidate, Minnesota State Senate, District 36, 2012, 2016, 2020,2022

Minority Whip, Minnesota State Senate, 2017-2021

Member, Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee

Member, Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee

Member, Health and Human Services Committee

Chair, Human Services Committee

Vice Chair, Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission

Former Member, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, E-12 Budget Division, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, E-12 Policy Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Education Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Family Care and Aging Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Member, Governors Special Education Advisory Committee

Former Member, Health, Human Services and Housing Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Legislative Task Force on Child Protection, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Subcommittee on Elections, Minnesota State Senate

Marketing Director, ALLY Business Solutions, present

Co-Founder, Consumer Financial Management Incorporated, present

Federal Title V Reviewer, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, present

Marketing Director, Midway Training Services, present

Public Relations Director, Midway Training Services, present

Co-Founder, Consumer Credit of Minnesota

Employee, Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center, 2001-2007

Technical Assistant, Iowa Department of Human Services, 1997-2001

Program Manager, Iowa Department of Human Services, 1997-2001

Supervisor, Juvenile Detention Center, Department of Youth Services, 1992-1997

Member, Board of Directors, Family Voices of Minnesota, present

Member, Board of Directors, Midway Chamber of Commerce, present

Treasurer, Metropolitan Educational Cooperative Service Unit (ECSU),, present

Certificate on Energy Policy, University of Idaho, 2014

Vice Chair, Anoka Hennepin School Board, 2005-2013

Member, Health Advisory Task Force, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Minnesota, 2004

Member, State Interagency Coordinating Council, 2003

Member, Federal Interagency Coordinating Council, 2001

Member, Northwest Hennepin Human Services Advisory Council, 2000

Awards:

2016
Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Legislator of the year
Family Voices of Minnesota Legislator of the year
Champlin Minnesota Father Hennepin Parade Grand Marshal
Recognition on Authoring Legislation to Improve the environment for those with age related hearing loss on behalf of the Commission for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans
2015
Outstanding Legislator for 2015 Minnesota School Boards Association
Certificate of appreciation for supporting establishment of Oromo Chamber of Commerce
The Arc- Legislator of the Year Award
Community Service Award by Isuroon
Parent Member on Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities
Letter of Appreciation for outstanding leadership- Opportunity Partners
2014
Legislative Conservationist Award
MnDACA-MOHR Distinguished Service Award
Outstanding support of the 5% Campaign
Fair Trade Leadership Award- Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition
Legislative Session All Star Legislator by Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
Letter of Appreciation for outstanding leadership- Opportunity Partners
Chiropractic Legislative Champion by Minnesota Chiropractic Association
Award for outstanding leadership and support to advancing the lives of people with Disabilities- Achieve Services
2013
MOHR Legislative Leadership Award, organization for habilitation and rehabilitation
AARM Cares Leadership Award
Volunteer of the Year- Midway Chamber of Commerce
Legislative Session All Star Advocate by Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
Letter of Appreciation for outstanding leadership- Opportunity Partners
MCEA Shoot the Rapids award for passing Clean Water Accountability Act
Member of Minnesota State Legislative Squadron, Civil Air Patrol
Clean Water Action- Award of Distinction
Nami- Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership and Support in Improving the Children?s Mental Health System
2012
Resolution of Commendation Anoka-Hennepin School District No 11
2007
Governors Certificate of Recognition to Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention
2003
Governor Appointment to Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention
2001
Parent Member of FICC (Commission Appointed by United States Secretary of Education Rodney Paige to advise and assist Federal Cabinet members)
National Partnership for Reinventing Government for IOWA Access Network Teams- Al Gore
Iowa dept of education state special education advisory panel
Certificate of Appreciation from MDH for dedication and commitment to maternal and child health in MN and to the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force

Favorite Book:

Thanks a Million

Favorite Movie:

Short Change Hero

Favorite Musician:

The Fiscal Notes

Favorite TV Shows:

Oromo TV