- Hometown: Mulliken, Mich.
- Role: Session staff manager, Michigan Senate
- Years of legislative service: 28
“I absolutely fell in love with the political process. I still love it and am happy that I made this my career choice!”
Hazel
Why did you choose to work at the legislature?
I took a temp job when I first moved to Lansing while studying in a dental assistant/hygienist program and absolutely fell in love with the political process. I still love it and am happy that I made this my career choice!
What skill or talent are you most proud of?
This is not professional by any means, but I am a passionate fan of houseplants, vegetable and flower gardens, and decorative summer pots. Incorporating plants and flowers in my different decorating color schemes makes me happy!
What’s the best advice you were ever given?
The two pieces of advice that shaped who I am today are from each of my parents. First, my mother as always told us kids that we need to cherish the happy times and work through the hard times, but never lose faith because, “This, too, shall pass.” Second, my father, upon cosigning for my very first auto loan stopped me outside the bank and shared this: “The very month I have to make a payment, this car stays in the yard and you ride your bike to work for the month, even if it’s winter.” (You bet I was never late on my payments!) Mom set us up to handle anything, and Dad made sure we knew responsibility.
Who or what inspires you?
At the risk of sounding cliche, my daughters. They are the very example of hard work, dedication, working through tough times and finding their inner strength. They are inspiring in that if/when they are let down, they take that deep breath, sit in their suffering for only a moment, and pick back up and go.
What’s one thing you love about your state or territory?
The Michigan landscape. It rivals beachfronts with ocean views, mountain cabins in winter glory and has the quilt of wildflowers and deep greens and changing colors of trees along the highways—just an absolutely beautiful state!
What are you currently reading/listening to/watching?
I am a couple of books behind on the “Jack Reacher” series by Lee Child, so I am catching up there. And on the recommendation from Nikki Farrell (like me, an LSMI alum), I’ll be starting series “A Court of Thorns and Roses” soon.
This email interview has been edited for length and clarity. Use the email icon above to suggest a legislative staffer for the “Staff Snapshots” series.