Julie Lassa

Experience

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  Plover Area Business Association

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1995

  Executive Director

  Directed stakeholder outreach, capitalized on messaging opportunities and managed all aspects of the office.Strengthened working relationships between local businesses, community organizations and the local and county government.

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  Town of Dewey, Portage County

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1995

  Supervisor

  Oversaw all operations of the township including budget, fire department and first responders, waste disposal, planning and zoning and road maintenance.

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  Wisconsin State Legislature

  Jan 1995 - Jan 1998

  Chief Of Staff

  State Representative Don Hasenohrl

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  Wisconsin State Legislature

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2017

  • Collaborated with Senate Leader as elected Caucus Chair, crafting and implementing statewide communications strategies on policy issues.• Led state economic development policies on Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and as Chair of Senate Committee on Economic Development. • Led negotiations on health care and economic development on budget writing committee resulting in investments into genomics medical research and commercialization of university research.• Crafted major statewide policy initiatives around economic and workforce development, including $100M renewable and energy efficiency revolving loan fund for businesses and Skills Enhancement Program, enriching wages and securing employer-sponsored health insurance for hundreds of low-income workers. • Presented to diverse audiences, committee hearings, and media interviews, persuading and educating listeners on targeted policy issues.• Collaborated with people from diverse cultural, political, and economic backgrounds, achieving specific policy goals.• Hired and supervised staff in dynamic legislative office in collaborative and inclusive manner resulting in high staff-retention rate.• Implemented a constituent focused office quickly and effectively responded to residents’ requests.• Managed biennial office budget of $560K.• Planned, developed, and executed campaign committee political fundraising efforts, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.• Adhered to recordkeeping and reporting requirements of Wisconsin election and campaign finance laws, maintaining compliance. Show less

  • State Senator

    May 2003 - Jan 2017

  • State Representative

    Jan 1999 - May 2003
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  Wisconsin Small Business Development Center

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2016

  Advisory Board Member

  Provided guidance and advice to the State Director on SBDC initiatives and planning that help entrepreneurs and business owners launch and expand their business.

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  Oral Health Coalition, Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2015

  Steering Committee Member

  Assisted the Coalition with identifying and setting priorities to improve oral health care access issues and worked to improve oral health for all residents statewide.

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  University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2016

  Advisory Board Member

  Assisted the Institute with identifying and setting priorities as well as making suggestions for improvement as it relates to promoting evidence-based approaches to policy and practice within all levels of government.

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  Sentry

  Apr 2017 - Apr 2021

  Regional Government and Regulatory Affairs Director

  • Devised and executed government relations goals to advance national property and casualty insurance company's interests across 12-state region.• Built and nurtured positive relationships with government officials and staff in priority states, anticipating policy action and executing government affairs strategies.. • Analyzed legislative and regulatory proposals for impact on lines of business and collaborated with business units on responses.• Evaluated and monitored legislative and regulatory proposals, assessing opportunities and threats and creating comprehensive strategy to address situation. • Communicated policy and regulatory positions to elected officials, regulators, and trade associations, driving favorable resolution. • Created close working relationships with business units, enhancing understanding of company's commercial operations and objectives and aligning government affairs priorities to achieve objectives.• Achieved key legislative goals business units deemed mission-critical by anticipating issues and reacting quickly to policy opportunities and threats.• Strengthened brand by positively interacting with federal, state, and local officials, regulatory agencies, trade associations, and other organizations.• Led and managed engagement with trade associations, advancing action on key issues of importance.• Planned and implemented political fundraising efforts related to $70K PAC and conduit-giving over 2-year cycle, identifying and researching donation recipients and attending events. Show less

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  USDA Rural Development

  Nov 2021 - Jan 2025

  State Director, USDA Rural Development, Wisconsin

  As the State Director of USDA Rural Development in Wisconsin, I led a team of sixty-two employees across six offices to provide technical assistance and obligate grants and loans to improve rural residents' quality of life and grow local businesses. I built strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to maximize program funding utilization and ensure alignment with the Administration's goals.