HomeMy WebLinkAboutStatement of Interest and Qualifications_Alyssa Simmons
Alyssa Simmons - Statement of Interest, Bozeman City Commissioner
3138 Sun Dew Ln.
Bozeman, MT 59718
407-3534802
asimmons@oceanembassy.com
I am submitting this statement of wholehearted interest in the open position as a
Bozeman City Commissioner. Public service is important to me, from the most humble
roles watering Bozeman’s iconic flower baskets on Main Street to serving on school PTA
Boards and working to create wildlife policy for the state as a biologist, no part is too
small to play in working for the betterment of the community. I am definitely willing, and I
hope you will find my experience and work ethic has made me ready to serve the city of
Bozeman in this honorable role.
To briefly describe the experiences that brought me to this point, I have a
bachelor’s degree in Communications, and both writing and public speaking are two of
my strengths. I have spent the majority of my career in animal and wildlife conservation,
most recently as a Bear Biologist for the state of Florida. Besides the obvious
responsibilities in working with bears and mitigating human/bear conflict, I honed my skills
in coordinating and running bear stakeholder groups, which operate much like Citizen
Advisory Boards. I learned to facilitate productive, working meetings bringing people with
diverse, usually conflicting and potentially volatile viewpoints together to collaborate on
creating policy for the state Fish and Wildlife Agency. I gave several presentations each
month to homeowners’ associations, county and city commission meetings, and to Law
Enforcement officers to promote and garner support for agency policies and local
government ordinances.
I currently work for MSU in Admissions, talking to students and families daily about
the appeal of the University as well as the clean, safe, friendly community here in
Bozeman. It’s easy to convey sincere admiration for Montana and this city because we too
have chosen to live here. I have a daughter at Bozeman High School and another
daughter at MSU. This family is devoted to Bozeman and intends to stay.
Some of my greatest adventures came when I adopted the philosophy of saying
“yes” when community involvement or leadership was needed, no matter how big or
small the role. In my personal time I held offices as Treasurer of the elementary school
PTA, Vice President of the middle school PTA, and I coordinated volunteers and monthly
meals for the local Women’s Residential and Counseling Center. In June I said “yes” to
the Bozeman Downtown Improvement District when they needed someone to water and
care for the iconic flower baskets at 3:30 am every morning for the summer. I was
honored to contribute to the beauty and appeal of Bozeman in this small way.
I would like to continue to serve the city in a bigger way, which is why I am serious
about the City Commissioner position. I have read the Bozeman Code of Ethics Handbook
and understand the duty to develop an understanding of the Strategic Plan and the city’s
other guiding documents. I am able to commit to the weekly city commission meetings as
well as the time required to prepare for them, so that I can hit the ground running if
needed. I meet the basic qualifications as a registered voter living within Bozeman’s city
limits. In addition I am an effective coordinator of groups and events, an excellent listener,
patient collaborator, and a positive, dependable teammate. I am comfortable in a support
role or a leadership role. I have very good attention to detail, but I am able to analyze
big-picture viewpoints as well.
In any community where I live, I would like to be a contributor, not just a consumer
or user of the area’s attributes. It’s not just about giving something back, I want to roll up
my sleeves and join the team that is doing the work it takes to maintain the vibrant, active,
and flourishing City of Bozeman. Thank you for your consideration.
Alyssa Simmons