"Thanks for all your support and inspiration over the many years I have served. Like you, I will keep trying to make a difference in the lives of children and families."
Kathleen
Authorized and Paid for by Friends of Kathleen Falk. Laurie Ogletree, Treasurer.
About Kathleen
From 1997 to 2011, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk served as the chief elected official managing Wisconsin’s second largest county. She was the first woman elected to that position and was the county’s longest serving (14 years). With a population close to 500,000 and an annual county budget of about $500 million and 2,500 employees, Falk loved balancing budgets and crafted innovative ways to make government more efficient for taxpayers. Known for her leadership and ability in bringing people together and solving problems, Falk focused on nationally-unique initiatives to protect land and lakes; by creative and award-winning improvements in the lives of kids and families so they can succeed; and by being "smart on crime" with effective alcohol and drug treatment strategies for repeat non-violent offenders that improve public safety and save money.
From 1983 to 1997 Falk served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Wisconsin Department of Justice, during which time she served both in the general government unit representing state agencies in a broad array of issues, as well as the state’s Public Intervenor, a natural resources “watchdog”. Prior to that, Falk served as co-director and counsel to Wisconsin's Environmental Decade where she won nationally significant court cases for consumer rights and environmental protection.
Born and raised in Milwaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin, Falk earned a B.A. from Stanford University in 1973 and a Law Degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1976. Falk was the first woman candidate of a major party to run for Governor in Wisconsin.
Falk is married to former State Representative Peter Bock and is the proud mother of a grown son, Eric. Falk has received many awards over her career for her progressive leadership, including from A Fund for Women, Wisconsin Trout Unlimited, Rivers Alliance, Wisconsin Association of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, FAIR Wisconsin, AIDS Network, Veridian Homebuilders, American Planning Association, Latino Chamber of Commerce, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, and Wisconsin National Association of Women.
