Forward Janesville - TheReport - Second Quarter 2023

WE ARE connected. Blackhawk Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to manage inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer, 6004 S County Road G, P.O. Box 5009, Janesville, WI 53547-5009, (608) 757-7796 or (608) 757-7773, WI Relay: 711. (608) 757-7623 | WI Relay: 711 BusinessDevelopment@blackhawk.edu Blackhawk strives to meet the needs of our students, industry partners and the communities we serve. Contact us today to ensure your workforce is ready! WE ARE Blackhawk. On weekends or time off, you’ll often find me mountain bike racing. Let me be clear, though, I am a slow mountain bike racer! It began a very long time ago when my best friend and I were on a pontoon talking about my brother racing, and we made a pact to give it a shot at the next race in Lake Geneva (beverages may have been involved!). We selected the “first timer” one-lap course but some fellow racers in the registration line talked us into the next level two- lap Citizen course. Let me tell you, we were dying by the time we finished that first lap! But we were also hooked. I rode in Moab, Utah most recently, and it was just perfect. • c h a l l e n g e s • l i f e l e s s o n s • e d u c a t i o n Don’t work too hard. Early on, I had some incredible mentors who all said the same thing: don’t work so hard that you become disconnected from your family and friends. Work will always be there. I took that to heart and strive to keep work and life in balance. 1 2 3 { LIFE LESSONS } One thing people might not know about me is that I write poetry and have always enjoyed creative writing. In high school, we started our own version of the Dead Poets Society. I am also a big fan of programs like The Moth Radio Hour, which features people sharing their own stories on stage and is broadcast on various radio stations across the country. Engagement with your employees and with the larger community is the key to true success. Especially today, with so many cultural divisions that encourage a deep sense of disconnection. Engaging one another can make all the difference. Leverage your strengths. This has helped me throughout my career. I came into city management after working on the creative side— communications, journalism, etc. The strengths I brought with me from that world helped me advance. • www.forwardjanesville.com | 15