Short Biography

Since 1997, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk has served and has been re-elected twice as the chief elected official for Dane County, whose county seat is Madison. With a population of 453,000, Dane is Wisconsin's second largest county. Known for her leadership and ability in bringing people together over important and often contentious issues, County Executive Falk has focused on initiatives to reduce sprawl and improve water quality; to serve the needs of kids, families and the elderly so they can succeed; and to be "smart on crime" by using effective drug treatment strategies with repeat, non-violent offenders. She says she loves balancing budgets and crafting innovative ways to make government more efficient for taxpayers. She has earned Dane County a top AAA bond rating for management of the county's $413 million budget.

Ms. Falk, an attorney, was a candidate for Governor in the Democratic primary in 2002, the first major party woman candidate for Governor in Wisconsin history. Prior to serving as County Executive, Falk served as co-director and counsel to Wisconsin's Environmental Decade and as the state's Public Intervenor in the Attorney General's office. Ms. Falk is married to Peter Bock and is the proud mother of a 24-year old son, Eric.