By Brandi Makuski

Jami Gebert on Friday announced her candidacy for Portage County Executive.

Gebert has been the executive administrative assistant to County Executive Patty Dreier since 2010.

In a news release, Gebert said she believes in “building through community service”, and listed three campaign talking points: growing and retaining the county’s workforce; strengthening long-term county fiscal planning and infrastructure; and improving quality of life by engaging and listening to citizens.

“I understand the responsibility of the office and complexity of county operations,” Gebert said in her news release. “As county executive, I will continue to work diligently for the betterment of citizens, municipalities, and the businesses and organizations that call Portage County home.”

Gerbert has also volunteered time for the Green Circle Trail Board of Directors, Active Portage County, the Rotary Club of Greater Portage County, Portage Co. Toys for Tots, Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum, Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the executive board for Farm Technology Days.

She was also a “key member” of the citizen group who built the Stevens Point Area Skateboard Park at Bukolt Park, the release said.

Gebert graduated from UWSP with a degree in communications and political science.

She is grew up on her family’s farm in Wood Co. and is an outdoor enthusiast, the release said.

Gebert is the second person to announce their bid for the office, followed by Matt Jacowski. It was not immediately known if Dreier would run for reelection.