Discover Muscatine offered all candidates the opportunity to provide information about themselves, their campaigns and to answer a few questions to help voters get to know them better.
Office Sought: Muscatine City Council 2nd Ward
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/OsborneForMuscatine
Candidate email address: [email protected]
Campaign Committee: Committee to Elect Jeff Osborne
Educational Background
| Name | City | State | Years | Diploma/Degree Earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota | Twin Cities | MN | 1999 – 2002 | MBA Operations Management and Finance |
| Iowa State University | Ames | IA | 1991 – 1996 | BS Mechanical Engineering |
| Buena Vista University | Storm lake | IA | 1986 – 1990 | BA Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations |
| Hawkeye Institute of Technology | Waterloo | IA | 1983 – 1986 | AAS Engineering Technology |
| East Waterloo High School | Waterloo | IA | 1980 – 1983 | HS Diploma |
Employment History
| Employer | Job Title | Start Date | End Date | Brief Job Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidAmerican Energy | Site Engineer | Dec 2014 | Present | Power Generation |
| Procter & Gamble | Varied Progressive Assignment | 1997 | Oct 2014 | Manufacturing |
| US Department of Energy, Ames Laboratory | Project Engineer | 1992 | 1997 | Energy Development |
| Winnebago Industries | Tool/Machine Design Engineer | 1986 | 1997 | Manufacturing |
Public Offices Held
| Office | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| City Transportation Board | 1991 | 1996 |
Why are you running for election?
Hi, my name is Jeff Osborne, I am running for Muscatine City Council 2nd Ward. I am a Sr. Engineer at the Louisa Generation Station. My wife Melissa and Hanna own Creations by Oz & Hanna’s OzSome Treats in Downtown Muscatine. We also own & operate St. Mary’s BnB in our home and The Emerald Loft Downtown. We live near the West Hill Neighborhood in the former St Mary Church Rectory. Hanna is a senior at Muscatine Highschool, planning to attend MCC next year. Our son Josh is an Army Veteran, served in Afghanistan. He also owns a small family business. Melissa and Hanna are 5th & 6th generation descendants of Eliza & Thomas Hanna. Their home stands today in the West Hill Neighborhood at 313 West 2nd Street.
I am running because I am the most qualified for the challenges ahead. My experience includes Construction Management, Balanced Budgets, and Customer Service. I hold and MBA in finance from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University. I have worked in Manufacturing 20 years +14 years in public sector roles with the US Department of Energy and now at MidAmerican Energy. I have held varied roles in Engineering, Operations, and Human Resources. My first paying job was general labor on a hog farm. My priorities are safety, housing, and service. When you consider: Muscatine’s endless construction. Our need for high quality housing. Mounting budget constraints. And evolving energy challenges. I am the most qualified for the challenges ahead.
What is the most important issue facing your office? Why does it matter? How will you address it?
Customer service is the most important opportunity. Carol Web, city Administrator, says Customer Service is a top priority. I will begin with the Jan/Feb 2022 budget process. Key budget owners will leave with measurable objectives to deliver customer service. To be reviewed quarterly and gapped.
What is the second most important issue facing your office? Why does it matter? How will you address it?
I am concerned we have no consistent direction. It matters if we want to grow or not. I will actively engage in the work of the council. I will bring to bear over 35 years of experience leading transition, team building, visioning, and goal setting. I will listen. I use data based decision making.
If elected, what steps would you take to improve perceptions of Muscatine in the surrounding area?
The Chamber currently manages the Muscatine Convention & Visitors Bureau under contract. Written in the current contract are subjective loosely defined deliverables. I seek to have measurable results trended such as Hotel motel vacancy rates and sales taxes. These measure hospitality to outsiders.
What is the most important thing you would like voters to know about you that they may not?
| I have volunteered at Vineyard Church, Second Saturday, and I am currently leading my second project for Rebuilding Together. We attend Calvary Church, and we support the Salvation Army. Learn more on Facebook at “Muscatine Community News.” Where I am one of the volunteer administrators. |
