About Vivian

Biography

With diverse training and experience in business, government contracting, retail and customer management, I bring a unique blend of analytical, collaborative and communication skills to offer as an Edmonds’ councilmember.

Education

United States Air Force Academy, BS in Management, 1989

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, MS in Aeronautical Science, 1993

Experience

Contracting Officer, United States Air Force, 1989-1994

Completed nine certificate courses on subjects of contracting, pricing, government contract law, contract administration, cost accounting standards, and quality assurance
One-year on-the-job training rotation: Supply, Services and Construction Contracting Branches, 1989-1990
Supply Contracting Branch Chief: manager and signature authority for all product purchasing (outside of the Air Force supply chain) to support base operations, 1990-1992. Branch received top marks from Inspector General during audit.
Contract Administrator, on site at Hughes Aircraft, 1992-1994. Oversee and negotiate changes to Air Force radar system contracts.

Independent Contractor, Mary Kay Cosmetics, 1990-present

Independent Sales Director, 1996-2017
Three annual Unit Club awards

Swimming Teacher and Coach, Harbor Square Athletic Club, 2008-present

Volunteerism

Past

Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board, 5 years
Volunteer and fundraiser at four Edmonds School District Public Schools
Two-Time Waste Warrior Chair, Taste Edmonds, 2017 and 2019
Friends of the Edmonds Library Board

Current

Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation Board

Scholarship committee and chair of public art committee

Edmonds Chamber of Commerce

Learn More

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Other Relevant Background

Other Relevant Background and Values

Government contracting officers, those authorized to sign contracts that commit taxpayer dollars, were under the media microscope at the time I entered the career field. Notable examples of waste, such as the non-standard coffee pots requisitioned for the Lockheed C-5 aircraft, brought about a new career field training focus. In the cited example, is a coffee pot that will withstand an airplane crash really necessary, or would a less durable commercially available coffee pot do the trick? This focus on the big picture and its ties to the questions “What is fiscally responsible” and “Does this pass the common-sense test” is fundamental to the way I explore and evaluate issues.

My masters program honed my ability to assess, comprehend, and discuss technical requirements. While this has been helpful in past roles in the AF and as the general contractor on our home remodeling projects, I am most excited about its value going forward. Councilmembers are asked to review, discuss and ultimately to vote on how to commit taxpayer dollars to an assortment of complex projects that represent “the running of the city”.

I am volunteering for this job because I am confident that I will ask the important, relevant questions, and follow the best thought processes to evaluate the projects that cross my desk.

As a self-employed person, I learned about the interconnectivity of income and expenses, the impact of fees and taxes on the bottom line, the difference between responsible and irresponsible borrowing (and spending), and how to operate within a budget.

I have been fortunate in my life to have role models who instilled values and beliefs that have served me well. My favorite quotes represent their legacy best:

“If you have an idea and I have an idea and we share it, then we both have two ideas” —George Bernard Shaw
“I not only use all the brains I have but all I can borrow” —Woodrow Wilson
“There is no limit to the amount of good you can do when you don’t care who gets the credit”—Ironically, unattributable to a single person

And last, but not least, the lessons of my youth, which continue to be impactful in the way I live my life:

Try hard.
Lend a hand when you see a need.
Take responsibility.
Leave the world better than you found it.
Apologize when you should.
Kindness matters.
Fairness matters.
Motives matter.