Edie Hooton

I served as a State Representative for Boulder (H.D.10) from 2017 to 2023. Since arriving in Boulder in 1997, I have been active with the county party and served as the President of the Democratic Women of Boulder County (800 members) during the overlap of George W Bush and Barack Obama presidencies. I got my start in politics as a legislative aide to US Senator Mike Gravel in 1976 in Fairbanks, Alaska, during the height of the construction of the Alaska pipeline, and became his Special Assistant responsible for Fairbanks and all points north - Barrow, Nome, Kotzebue, etc. When he lost his reelection in 1980, I moved to Juneau, Alaska, where I worked as an aide to Senator Bettye Fahrenkamp. After 10 years in Alaska, I returned to the East Coast to attend the University of Pennsylvania for my graduate degree in Public Administration and worked in the government affairs offices of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Philadelphia Electric Company (now PECO).

Give your best to the person you report to (energy, enthusiasm, flexibility) and understand the expectations their boss(es) have of them. This will help you anticipate their needs (that are often not clearly explained) and roll with their stress. Have a spirit of generosity toward your co-workers. Many of them will be lifelong friends, allies, and references. Great leaders are team players and don't hesitate to do what it takes to get the job done. Take classes in communication and public speaking. Consider theatre. Great leaders are effective communicators, both verbally and in writing. Read How to Win Friends and Influence People once a year.