Biography

Occupation: Oregon State Senator

Previous Co-Owner of Verger Chrysler Plymouth Dodge.

Occupational Background: Over 20 years in advertising and marketing, and 30 years in Public Service.

Educational Background: Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana College, Louisiana State University.

Governmental Experience and Community Service:

Human Rights Award: 1991

Easter Seal: Oregon's Easter Seal Board of Directors, 3 years. Oregon's Volunteer of the Year for Outstanding Service, Local Host of the Easter Seal Telethon 15 years.

Delta Kappa Gamma Woman of Achievement

First Coordinator of the Downtown Association in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Planned and Directed The First “Blackberry Arts Festival” in Coos Bay, Oregon.

United Way Board of Directors: Member 6 yrs

United Way Campaign Chair, 1987

Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) Foundation Board Chair, 1992

SWOCC Business Advisory Board: 3 years

Soroptimist Club of the Bay Area, Past President

Coos County Children and Youth Services Comm.; Co-Chair, 1991 and 1992

Coos Bay-North Bend Chamber of Commerce: Tourist Host Trainer

Coos Bay City Councilwoman 1990-1992

First Woman Mayor of Coos Bay, 4 Terms

Coos Bay-North Bend Water Board: 3 years

League of Oregon Cities Board Member 1995-1999

President of the League of Oregon Cities for 1999

Legislative Leadership Award by The League of Oregon Cities 2002

2001-2002

Transportation Committee

Rules and Public Affairs Committee

Interim Transportation Committee

Interim Committee on Jobs and the Economy

Road User Fee Task Force

Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force

House Task Force on Senior Issues

2003-2004

Vice Chair of Revenue Committee

Rules and Public Affairs Committee

Interim Joint Committee on Tax Reform

Interim Government Oversight Committee

Road User Fee Task Force

Pacific Fisheries Task Force

National Council of State Legislators Agriculture and Rural Development Committee

 2005-Present

Chair of Senate Transportation 2005-2007

Chair of Coastal Caucus 2005-2007

Member of General Government Committee 2005-2007

Member of Rural Policy Advisory Board 2005 to Present

Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year 2005

Member of the Task Force on Economic Development through Transportation for Southern Oregon 2005

OWIN (Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network) Workforce- Present

Task Force on Human Trafficking-Present

Member of Full Ways and Means 2005-Present

Member of Transportation Subcommittee for Ways and Means-2007 to Present

Member of the Committee on Health and Human Services to Senior’s and People with Disabilities 2007

Gold Star Award- Recognition of Dedicated Service to Children and Families-2007

“Emergency Preparedness Award”- Appreciation of Work in the 2007 Session as Co-Chair of Emergency Preparedness and Ocean Policy presented by the Oregon Emergency Management Association.

“2007 Senior Champion Award” Given by the Oregon Health care Association and Oregon Assoc. of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities. This award was in recognition for work done in the 2007 session to improve the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities.