About Kristen

Kristen Wilhelm holds an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences from West Shore College in Michigan. She completed her certificate in non-profit management from the UWM - Helen Bader Institute in 2008. Prior to the start of her family, she worked at General Mitchell airport for the Federal Aviation Administration as a Navigation Communications Electronic Technician. While raising her children, she remained active in her community by volunteering at Pleasant View Elementary and at the Wehr Nature Center.

Stepping back into the workforce, Kristen worked for Prairie Future Seed Co., 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. Kristen has served on the City of Franklin's Environmental Commission as a volunteer for 8 years. She is a founding member of the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy and was instrumental in helping form several of the City's policies balancing development with resource stewardship.

In 2006, Kristen was formally commended by the Wisconsin State Assembly for her skillful negotiation achievements. She is dedicated to Franklin and seeks creative solutions that recognize our immediate needs while considering the future goals of our community. Kristen worked for the River Revitalization Foundation for nearly five years and is currently the Executive Director of the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy.

Qualifications

Experience includes:

  1. Eight years working with the City's Unified Development Ordinance and Municipal Code
  2. Securing more than $500,000 in grant funds at no cost to the taxpayers
  3. Negotiating land purchases; title and appraisal experience resulting in free parkland for the City
  4. Budget experience; monitoring income and expenses, preparing, submitting financial reports
  5. Management skills; lead service technician and department head for five employees
  6. Proficiency in data processing and computer data communications
  7. Technical background reading blue prints, survey data and plat maps
  8. Served in the United States Air Force, Aerospace Ground Equipment Mechanic

Continuing education includes but not limited to:

  1. Negotiations Skills, MRA Institute of Management
  2. More than seven years with the Federal Government; Over 600 hrs CE credits
  3. UWM-Communications/Public Speaking
  4. UWM-Non-Profit Management
  5. Certificate for Basic and Advanced Wetland Delineation, UW LaCrosse
  6. Administration and Enforcement of Wetlands, Lorman Seminar
  7. Workshops/Seminars: Grant Writing, Fund Development and Fundraising, MMSD Low Impact Development, Clean Rivers Clean Lakes, Community Based Development

Kristen rapelling into a cenote in Mexico

Age: 50 Franklin resident for 20 years.
Mother of two teenage children, Kendra and Karl.