Jerry doesn’t just serve – he is an energetic voice for new ideas. Below are some of the projects that Jerry set in motion and brought to fruition:

• North Avenue Trade District initiative which changed zoning requirements to help the city keep this important business district vibrant.
• Nuisance Ordinance initiative which streamlined the follow up of property maintenance and tenant behavior issues.
• Ad Hoc Diversity Committee that reviewed anticipated city employee turnover trends and hiring and training requirements.
• Ad Hoc Web Site Committee which he chaired that implemented the City web site and subsequently added capability to perform property inquiries.

Jerry’s commitment is not talk but action – he is an energetic volunteer who actively seeks ways to serve his community.

• North Avenue Residents Committee. Twenty years ago Jerry pioneered formation of this group which organized neighbors to focus on preserving and improving the business strip. Not only is he a founding member and but he was chosen as its President for three terms.
• Blarney Run. Jerry created this major community fundraising event in conjunction with his neighbors and then transitioned it to provide financial backing to Wauwatosa Historical Society programs.
• Visiting Nurse Association. Jerry implemented new high quality hospice services as a Wauwatosa. Board member for two terms.
• Village Adult Services. Jerry restructured this organization that provides inner city adult day care services to disabled seniors and respite to their care givers. He initiated a unique pilot service for Hmong elders, a Latino Senior Center in collaboration with other community groups, and the construction of a new facility. He served 3 terms as the President of the Board.
• Cathedral Center program for homeless mothers and their children. Jerry led the initial establishment of this highly needed service and new site construction and he served on its board for two terms.
• Big Brothers. Jerry is a former volunteer mentor.
• Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative. Advisory Board member.

Public Safety experience

Revamped all fiscal, administrative and capital construction programs for the Illinois Department of Corrections system during a period of rapidly escalating prison populations and immediately after a riot disturbance.

Crisis Response experience

Quickly established case management for over 600 Hurricane Katrina families in Milwaukee to identify needed services and facilitate their movement into the

community. Successfully lead a complete fiscal and program turnaround of welfare-to-work services for private sector firm Maximus. Initiated comprehensive program serving all refugees in the Milwaukee area involving staff capable of speaking 13 different languages.

Negotiation experience

Negotiated several major space leases for government offices with developers such as Schlitz Park in Milwaukee. Established multi-agency programs for eight customers at 16 separate sites in three states. Negotiated large dollar long term contracts with governments and private firms. Implemented dozens of subcontracts for numerous services for costs ranging up to several million dollars. Served six years on Wauwatosa Employment Relations Committee involving contracts with five different unions representing city staff.

Infrastructure Management experience

Served as landlord for Milwaukee County Grounds involving planning and operation of water, sewer, electrical, steam, and roadway systems that serviced critical medical and research functions.

Small Business experience

Operated own business providing program consulting services to non profit, government and private sector customers for more than ten years.

Budget experience

Assembled and negotiated hundreds of budgets ranging from $50K to $500M at the state, county and local levels. Chaired the Wauwatosa City Council Budget and Finance Committee that consistently adopted annual budgets within significant fiscal constraints. Provided leadership to maintain AAA rating for city general obligation bonds.

Information Systems experience

Created privately contracted medical data center for a public hospital resulting in both improved service and reduced cost.

Linda and I celebrated our 36^th wedding anniversary last summer.

We have been residents of Wauwatosa for more than 25 years in same home on Lefeber Avenue. We are now officially in the empty nester category.

Our children are Amy Melik and Abby Stepaniak.

Linda is a veteran of the banking industry.

Our children enjoyed a fabulous education in the Wauwatosa public school system, with attendance at Roosevelt Elementary, Longfellow Middle School and East High School.

Amy is married to Jason Melik, and they reside in Oak Creek. Parents to our three year old granddaughter Anna, and expecting grandbaby #2 in June of this year!

Amy is a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Milwaukee area with 60 students who speak over 20 native languages, where she puts her French B.S. and ESL M.S. degrees to good use.

Jason works in the Information Technology field which is a good fit for his M.B.A. degree, and he sings professionally with the Florentine Opera with his training in vocal performance.

Abby is currently a Peace Corps volunteer in Barberton, South Africa, where she works with non-government organizations on HIV and AIDS awareness programming. After graduating from UW Madison, she is also enrolled at the University of Washington in the Masters in Public Administration program.