Since ELGL is not a big fan of icebreakers and since we would rather not know what animal you want to be, this blog feature will serve as a means of introducing new members. While you won’t learn about their favorite animal, you will learn about their ideal Sunday morning, which dead people would they FaceTime with, and which song best describes their life.
Vitals
Name: Jessica LaVigne
Email: jessica.f.lavigne@gmail.com
Education: Pacific Lutheran University
Current Position: Oregon Public Broadcasting, Member Center Representative
Previous Employment: Star Fellow at U.S. House of Representatives; Residence Hall Association Activities Director, Pacific Lutheran; Listener Associate, KPLU 88.5 NPR; Intern, Bruce Lachney for State Senate; and Campaign Intern, Congressman Adam Smith
Background Check
Jessica is a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University who is excited to be beginning her career. As a young professional she is looking for opportunities to expand my skills and build my network.
Q&A
Tell us about three projects that you are working on.
To be honest I just started my new job 3 days ago so I haven’t started any major projects yet. I’m mostly working on settling in to my new position and getting to know my coworkers.
I also recently started volunteering at the Oregon Humane Society. I volunteer in their Cattery assisting staff members and hanging out with the animals. It’s a great way to relax, have fun and meet new people.
Your mentors:
Arnie Thomas. I met him while I was interning in DC as one of Running Start’s Star Fellows. He is someone I can always count on to offer me a new perspective about my life, I always feel better after talking to him. I highly recommend his articles on clotureclub.com: http://www.clotureclub.com/exclusive/everyday-mentor/
I also find mentors in my friends and family, they are always there to support me and offer me advice.
Describe the inside of your car.
It is very clean. I just bought I car so I haven’t had time to get it messy yet.
Most recent concert you attended:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuVshOAKYwA&w=560&h=315]
Eric Hutchinson at Pacific Lutheran University. I was an event planner at my university and I organized a homecoming concert for the students where we collected over 100 lbs of peanut butter for the local food bank.
If you could only visit five websites for the next year, which ones would you choose?
- LevoLeague
- NPR
(Complete the sentence) Before I die I want to…
Travel to at least 10 different countries.
Best career accomplishment.
Being chosen as one of Running Start’s Star Fellows. I feel very lucky to have been a part of the program. For all the young women out there who are interested in running for public office check out http://www.runningstartonline.org/.
I am also proud of being hired for my current job at Oregon Public Broadcasting. It is my first “real adult job” and I’m happy I get to work for such a great company that provides the Oregon community with such a valuable resource.
What song best describes your life?
Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore – it was my pump up music during my job search.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgjwAZ9TR3U&w=560&h=315]
Suggest two or three topics for the ELGL annual conference.
- Campaign Finance: The Dos and Don’ts
- Women in Government: Closing the gap.
If you could FaceTime or Skype with three people either dead or alive, who would they be?
President Lincoln
Hillary Clinton
Abigail Adams
Favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning:
Sleep in, go to the farmers market and read a good book.
(Complete the sentence) Government is…..
optimistically a place for people with ideas to come together to improve the country, cynically a place where people argue, disagree and rarely get anything done.
(Complete the sentence) ELGL is …..
a great resource for people involved in government and for young professionals looking for advice and opportunities to get involved.
What’s the meaning of life?
Be kind, work hard.
What question(s) should I have asked you?
- What issues are you most passionate about?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Supplemental Reading
Previous Profiles
- Jessica Cahill, PacificSource Health Plans, Communications Specialist
- Tom Hogue, Economic Development Specialist, Dept. of Land Conservation and Development
- Caleb Howe, City of Independence
- Geoff Wullschlager, PSU Center for Public Service, Budget Analyst
- Dylan Digby, City of West Linn Public Improvement Specialist
- Joshua Allen, Program Manager at Umatilla Basin Watershed Council
- Jeremy James, Cosgrave Vergeer Kester, Attorney
- Michael Rizzitiello, Beaverton Economic Development Coordinator
- Pavel Gubanikhin, Eugene Senior Budget Analyst
- Aaron Bogle, City of Beaverton, Neighborhood Program Project Specialist
- Scott Pingel, Dayton City Manager
- Rob Caballero, Willamette University MBA
- Melanie Cutler, Oregon Department of Revenue
- Stephanie Tripp, Oregon Health Authority, Public Affairs
- Andrew Spaeth, Oregon State Master of Public Policy
- Carlos Soriano, Business & Employment Specialist at State of Oregon
- Ellen Currier, Lane Council of Governments
- Eric Battles, University of Southern California
- Michelle Tagmyer, City of Beaverton Public Information
- Evan Fransted, University of Colorado-Denver School of Public Affairs
- Ben Patinkin, Patinkin Research Strategies
- Emma Williams, Oregon Metro
- Nick Herrera, State of Oregon
- Lauren Stott, Village of Montgomery, IL
- Beth Otto, City of Lake Oswego and PSU MURP Student
- Bradley Olin, California State University, Office of the Chancellor
- Adam Hackman, Drake University MPA Student
- Tamara Richards, City of Eugene
- Scott Aycock, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council
- Dan Blue, City of Gresham
- Michael Parkhurst, City of Gresham