Kristen Wilhelm holds an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences from West Shore College in Michigan and a certificate in non-profit management from the UW Milwaukee - Helen Bader Institute. Prior to the start of her family, she served in the U.S. Air Force and worked for the Federal Aviation Administration as a Navigation Communications Electronic Technician at Tri-City Airport in Michigan and locally at General Mitchell International. While raising her children, she remained active in her community by volunteering at Pleasant View Elementary and served the City’s Environmental Commission for 8 years.
Stepping back into the workforce, Kristen worked for a local landscaping company, assisted the Village of Greendale on land management, and worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a Program Assistant for the Root-Pike Water Partner Team. She also worked at the River Revitalization Foundation for nearly five years.
In 2006, Kristen was formally commended by the Wisconsin State Assembly for her skillful negotiation achievements and received a Proclamation from the City of Franklin for her community efforts. Kristen was instrumental in helping form several of the City's policies balancing development with resource stewardship.
Kristen is dedicated to Franklin and seeks creative solutions that recognize our immediate needs while considering the future goals of our community. She is a founding member and former Executive Director of the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy. She has resided in Franklin for 34 years and has served the residents of Franklin’s 3rd District since 2008.
Experience includes:
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Twenty-three years working with the City's Unified Development Ordinance, Zoning and Municipal Codes, and State laws
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Securing more than $700,000 in grant funds at no cost to the taxpayers
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Negotiating land purchases; title and appraisal experience resulting in free parkland for the City
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Budget experience; monitoring income and expenses, preparing, submitting financial reports
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Management skills; lead service technician and department head for five employees
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Proficiency in data processing and computer data communications
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Technical background reading blue prints, survey data and plat maps
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Served in the United States Air Force, Aerospace Ground Equipment Mechanic
Continuing education includes:
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Negotiations Skills, MRA Institute of Management
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More than seven years with the Federal Government; Over 600 hrs CE credits
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UWM-Communications/Public Speaking
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UWM-Non-Profit Management
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Certificate for Basic and Advanced Wetland Delineation, UW LaCrosse
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Administration and Enforcement of Wetlands, Lorman Seminar
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Workshops/Seminars: Grant Writing, Fund Development and Fundraising, MMSD Low Impact Development, Clean Rivers Clean Lakes, Community Based Development
Term:
April 2020 thru April 2023
Board & Commission Assignments:
Present: Library Board, License Committee, Quarry Monitoring Committee
Previous: Parks Commission, Board of Health, Complete Streets & Connectivity, Environmental Commission, Economic Development Commission, Finance Committee