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A Message From Deb:
The obvious question is “Why?” Why, when I have a relatively secure
seat as a State Representative from HD 11, would I want to change gears
and run for a county position? In 2010, my reasons for running for Jack
Pommer’s term-limited seat were based not only on people urging me to
run, but on my feeling that it was important that someone from Longmont
fill that seat. I won by nearly 20 points over my Republican opponent. I’ve
learned a lot in the past year, and expect to learn more in the upcoming
session. So: “Why?”
Boulder County is why.
When people started thinking about whom they’d like to see as Ben Pearlman’s replacement, they
approached me, knowing my background, and my long interest in county affairs. To begin with, I said,
“No,” but I did think I needed to know more about what it was I was turning down.
This is what I’ve learned. Commissioners are basically the CEOs of the county, responsible for a 288
million dollar budget, the oversight of hundreds of county employees and a myriad of departments
including Community Services; Housing and Human Services; and Transportation. In addition, the
County owns and oversees more than 98,000 acres of open space.
I also know that the upcoming years are going to present substantial challenges. Although in many
ways, the budget is a moral document, it’s also based in the cold reality that we’re going to have to do
more with less. My years as an accountant, coupled with my current assignments to the Legislative Audit
Committee and the Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Review Committee have given me the
experience to be able to make well-informed recommendations when it comes to developing economic
policies that will take us into the future.
That experience is not all I have to offer. Because of my background as a Precinct Leader, a County
Chair, and a legislator, I’ve learned the value of collaboration. Collaboration is a key part of success: you
end up not only with a better solution, but with a commitment in the process from all the interested parties
which will lead to successful implementation. In the past year, I’ve also learned the extent to which
counties can work together with each other and with those in State government to create and support
legislation that will benefit us all.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I invite you to visit the issues pages of this website to learn
more about how I will work hard to support the values we share. I also hope you will contact me if you
have a particular concern about county government, or about my candidacy for County Commissioner.
About Deb Gardner:
JOB OBJECTIVE
SUMMARY:
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Sr. Accountant, Eco-cycle Inc., Boulder, CO.
Assistant Controller, Western Disposal Services Inc., Boulder, CO.
General Accounting Manager and Accounting Supervisor, HEAD Sports, Boulder, CO.
EDUCATION:
The obvious question is “Why?” Why, when I have a relatively secure
seat as a State Representative from HD 11, would I want to change gears
and run for a county position? In 2010, my reasons for running for Jack
Pommer’s term-limited seat were based not only on people urging me to
run, but on my feeling that it was important that someone from Longmont
fill that seat. I won by nearly 20 points over my Republican opponent. I’ve
learned a lot in the past year, and expect to learn more in the upcoming
session. So: “Why?”
Boulder County is why.
When people started thinking about whom they’d like to see as Ben Pearlman’s replacement, they
approached me, knowing my background, and my long interest in county affairs. To begin with, I said,
“No,” but I did think I needed to know more about what it was I was turning down.
This is what I’ve learned. Commissioners are basically the CEOs of the county, responsible for a 288
million dollar budget, the oversight of hundreds of county employees and a myriad of departments
including Community Services; Housing and Human Services; and Transportation. In addition, the
County owns and oversees more than 98,000 acres of open space.
I also know that the upcoming years are going to present substantial challenges. Although in many
ways, the budget is a moral document, it’s also based in the cold reality that we’re going to have to do
more with less. My years as an accountant, coupled with my current assignments to the Legislative Audit
Committee and the Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Review Committee have given me the
experience to be able to make well-informed recommendations when it comes to developing economic
policies that will take us into the future.
That experience is not all I have to offer. Because of my background as a Precinct Leader, a County
Chair, and a legislator, I’ve learned the value of collaboration. Collaboration is a key part of success: you
end up not only with a better solution, but with a commitment in the process from all the interested parties
which will lead to successful implementation. In the past year, I’ve also learned the extent to which
counties can work together with each other and with those in State government to create and support
legislation that will benefit us all.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I invite you to visit the issues pages of this website to learn
more about how I will work hard to support the values we share. I also hope you will contact me if you
have a particular concern about county government, or about my candidacy for County Commissioner.
About Deb Gardner:
JOB OBJECTIVE
- To use my skills and experience to benefit the people of District 2.
SUMMARY:
- Proven leadership skills in difficult and demanding situations.
- Ability to create a calm, productive, and positive work environment with a wide variety of
personalities. - Enthusiastic customer service skills in the public and private sector, experienced public speaker.
- Creatively analytical, solutions oriented, highly adaptable to change.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
- Chair and Treasurer, Boulder County Democratic Party, Boulder, CO.
- Successfully led the Boulder County effort to elect Democrats to local, County, State and Nat. office.
- Managed multiple priorities in a calm and effective manner.
- Created a work environment that was both efficient and enjoyable for hundreds of volunteers.
- Public representative of the party for the media and other community organizations.
LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE:
- State Representative, House District 11, elected November, 2010.
- Member of:
- House Transportation Committee
Legislative Audit Committee
Business and Economic Development Committee
Health Benefit Exchange Review Committee
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Sr. Accountant, Eco-cycle Inc., Boulder, CO.
- Develop financial reporting systems to enhance manager’s ability to analyze business issues.
- Increase the timeliness and accuracy of monthly and annual financial reporting.
- Convert various accounting systems and software to increase efficiencies and effectiveness.
Assistant Controller, Western Disposal Services Inc., Boulder, CO.
- Designed and implemented cost reducing IT solutions to improve accounting system processes
- Managed successful annual accounting, insurance, and compliance audits.
- Prepared and analyzed financial statements for management decision-making process.
General Accounting Manager and Accounting Supervisor, HEAD Sports, Boulder, CO.
- Established good working relationships with all levels of personnel, outside vendors and auditors.
- Coordinated banking relations including letters of credit, investing and cash flow.
- Managed administrative functions (employee health benefits, 401(k) Plan, and business
insurance). - Supervised all areas of accounting, maintaining high morale and productivity in a team
atmosphere.
EDUCATION:
- Metro State College – BS Accounting
- Knox College – BS Biology
