National Convening Program Books 2014 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 74

YOUNG ELECTED OFFICIALS 74 Melissa Turley County Commissioner Jackson, Wyoming Commissioner Turley was elected to the Jackson Town Council in 2006, receiving more votes than any other candidate. In 2009, she was appointed vice mayor and was re-elected to the council in 2010. During her tenure, she served on the energy efficiency advisory board, on the community integration team, and as the liaison to the Jackson Community Recycling and Jackson Hole Community Pathways. Turley is fluent in Spanish and has worked as a language development tutor for the Teton Literacy Program. She is a founding board member of Womentum, a local nonprofit that seeks to promote meaningful social change for women. She is also the owner of MET Solutions, which performs research and outreach and focuses on development for nonprofit organizations. @MelissaTurley Jenna Vendil School Committee Member Portland, Maine School Committee Member Jenna Vendil was elected to the Portland Public School Board in 2009. Shortly after graduating from college in 2006, Vendil worked with Opportunity Maine to organize college students and working families to advance groundbreaking legislation that would make college more affordable. During her time with the League of Young Voters as field director in Maine, she worked to empower young people to be involved in the political process and to get progressive candidates elected. Since 2006, she has spoken at leadership trainings, conferences, and events that have impacted over 300 young people across the state. During her tenure in office, Vendil has strived to create stronger pathways for student learning in the classroom and in the community. In addition, Committee Member Vendil coordinates field outreach for Fair Share Now, a coalition of progressive organizations and labor unions advocating for tax fairness and economic justice. @jennavendil Keisha Waites State Representative Atlanta, Georgia State Representative Keisha Waites was elected in November 2012 to the Georgia General Assembly. Waites is a member of the juvenile justice, transportation and public safety, and homeland security committees. She has taken special interest in working with at-risk youth in her community. Waites has worked to secure in-kind sponsorships for socio-economically disadvantaged youth from sponsors in the greater Atlanta area. Prior to her election, Waites worked for the Small Business Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. She currently serves on a contract basis with the legislative affairs division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and has utilized her experience and role in the legislature to provide domestic support for national and international incidents. Waites’ main policy focuses are on regional job training and eradicating poverty. 2014 Young Elected Officials Network National Convening