Biography

Tami was raised in an active-duty military family, so she understands the importance of commitment, community and service.

Tami met her husband, Don, while attending Brigham Young University. They have been married for 30 years and have two children, Joel and Ginger. Ginger is married to Tony Anderson; they have a seven-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. Joel is currently attending The Evergreen State College.

Tami and her family settled in the Northwest after her husband completed his Air Force service in 1987.  They are proud to call the Lakewood, Washington area their home.

Tami has been active in the local Lakewood area schools; serving as a room mother, as PTA secretary, and as an organizer of "Band Boosters." She has also lead many school fund-raising events.

Not only is Tami a wife, mother and grandmother, but she is also a registered nurse.  She began her career as a registered nurse in 1982. Since living in Washington she has worked at the Western State Hospital and the Child Study and Treatment Center, caring for Washington’s most severely mentally ill adults and children; Good Samaritan Behavioral Healthcare in Puyallup; and currently she is employed with Maxim Health Care.

Tami’s goal is to bring her extensive experience as a mother, grandmother, nurse, and community activist to the State Legislature to address such vital issues as health care, public schools, and family wage jobs.

Personal:
Husband Don, married 30 years; son, Joel, 23; daughter, Ginger, 28; son-in-law, Tony, 30; granddaughter, Genavive, 7; and grandson, Koda, 2.

City/Town:
Lakewood/Steilacoom

Education/Degrees:
Associates of Applied Sciences Degree, Belleville Area College, Belleville, Illinois

Occupation:
Registered nurse, health care worker representative

Experience:
Twenty-three years, in direct care nursing
Four years, as a health care employee representative

Community Involvement:

• PTA secretary

• Lakes High Band Boosters

• Various fund-raising projects at schools

• Various church leadership positions with young women and children

• Workplace violence task force

Legislative Priorities:

• Help ensure affordable healthcare to Washington families and individuals
• Provide incentives to our small businesses so they have opportunity to succeed.
• Find ways to make our schools more efficient and find ways to keep more dollars in each classroom.
• Enhance economic development efforts to attract and keep the best jobs around