Kim Gillan's Bio

by: Carla Augustad

Mon Sep 17, 2012 at 22:21:42 PM MST

Raised by parents who grew up during the depression, Kim Gillan was taught a critical lesson at an early age: Complaining about a problem or pointing fingers never solves anything. To make a difference, you have to work hard, apply yourself, and try to fix what’s wrong. This work ethic has guided Kim throughout her life – as a mother of two children, as a small businesswoman, as a workforce-training specialist, and as an accomplished state legislator. From her time as a PTA mom to her leadership as the Minority Whip in the Montana State Senate, Kim has always focused on issues that matter to the people she represents. Known for her tenacity, Kim believes that delivering results is more important than politics and partisanship. She understands what it means to work across party lines and achieve results without comprising principles. That’s why in the race for Montana’s lone seat in the United States House of Representatives, Kim is the only candidate with a proven record of delivering real results that matter for Montana’s working families. Including: ● Establishing an insurance mandate to guarantee coverage for autism and diabetes treatments. ● Creating an innovative job training assistance program for Montana’s small business employees. ● Raising fuel economy standards for state purchased vehicles. ● Expanding funding for road construction and repair across Montana. ● Leading the effort to try and close corporate tax loopholes. ● Passing new teen driver licensing and highway safety requirements. ● Revising campaign disclosure laws to improve public transparency. ● Expanding DUI enforcement to require blood alcohol testing in all serious vehicular accidents. ● Establishing stiff fines to crack down on telemarketer fraud. ● Strengthening private property rights in eminent domain disputes. ● Protecting taxpayers by limiting the state’s ability to impose new taxes without legislative approval. With hard work and a willingness to listen, Kim has won re-election six consecutive times in swing districts. While serving as a citizen legislator, Kim has worked as the lead Workforce Development Coordinator at Montana State University-Billings. Her day-to-day efforts involve working with businesses to train employees to compete for jobs in the today’s changing economy. Throughout her career, she has also worked in new energy development, and has helped Native American organizations improve their economies and create jobs through small business development. Kim put herself through college by working a variety of jobs, including working in a grocery store as a Teamster. She has a Masters Degree in Regional Planning from Cornell University, and Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of California-Los Angeles. She is the mother of two grown children, Henry and Claire. Legislative Leadership Minority Whip, Montana State Senate Minority Leader, Montana House of Representatives Chair, Revenue and Transportation Interim Committee Chair, Senate Local Government Chair, Legislative Council Vice-Chair, Environmental Quality Council Vice Chair, Senate Taxation Vice Chair, House Taxation Co-Chair, Montana Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Member, Montana State Workforce Investment Board Executive Board Member, Pacific Northwest Economic Region Member, Council of State Governments Executive Board Member, National Commission on Health Care Workforce Recognition and Achievements YWCA – Salute to Women Achievement Award Montana Adult Education Association – Legislative Achievement American Academy of Pediatrics – Special Achievement Award Montana Traffic Education Association – Excellence in Partnership Award National Association Against Drunk Driving – Legislator of the Year Award Montana Wildlife Federation Conservation – Legislator of the Year Award Montana Building Industry Association – Legislative Leadership Award Easter Seals – Legislative Leadership Recognition Council of State Governments – Toll Fellow Community Involvement Board Member, MSU-Billings Foundation Board Member, Parents Let’s Unite for Kids Chair, City of Billings Parks & Recreation Board Board Member, Regional Easter Seals/Goodwill Board of Directors Chair, Billings Heights Task Force