Sarah has more than 18 years of experience in long-range and current planning, land development, zoning, and economic development and is a nationally certified urban planner. She currently works as the Climate Program Manager for the Washington State Department of Commerce. Prior to urban planning, Sarah worked as a construction cost estimator for her family’s local ornamental metal construction firm. 

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Born and raised on Main Street by an entrepreneurial family, her parents operated a small metal fabrication company which Sarah helped to operate in high school and after returning home from serving in the military. She served six years in the U.S. Army, with her last year of service in Bosnia with NATO forces in a combat zone. With the help of the GI Bill, she received her Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Community Development from Portland State University.  

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Sarah is passionate about supporting the Vancouver community. She donates her time and construction skills to support nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity and the Pomegranate Center. She supports the preservation of our historic places and structures and served six years on the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. Sarah is an active member of the Honor Guard for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). 

 

Most importantly, as a single mother for the past dozen years, she deeply understands the challenges of balancing family with work, while still contributing to her community.

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National Appointment

• Environmental Protection Agency, Local Government Advisory Committee (Term: Jan - Dec 2023)

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Current City Council Assignments and Certifications

• Clark County Children's Justice Center Executive Board

• Columbia River Economic Development Council Board and Finance Committee

• Emergency Operations Center representative

• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (alternate)

• Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization Policy Committee (alternate)

• Association of Washington Cities - Certificate of Municipal Leadership (awarded 2022)

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Community Involvement 

• Honor Guard for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7824

• Habitat for Humanity

• Friends of Trees

• Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts

• Clark County Historic Preservation Commissioner (2013-2019)

• President of the Camas Public Employees Association (2012-2018)

• SW WA Section of the American Planning Association (Current)

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Military Service 

U.S. Army Veteran (1991-1997)

• Basic Training, U.S. Army Fort Jackson, SC (1991)

• Foreign language training at the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA

• Military Intelligence training at Fort Huachuca, AZ

• Stationed with the 197th Military Intelligence Battalion at Kelley Barracks, Darmstadt, Germany

• 82nd Rear Tactical Operation Center, Oregon Army National Guard - deployed within the state during the flood of 1996

• Deployed with NATO Operation Stabilization Force to Croatia (January-August, 1997)

• Honorable discharge (November 1997)

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