Name: Karen Hepfler
Age: 59
Office Sought: Chippewa County Clerk of Courts

Education: Wisconsin Clerks of Circuit Court (WCCCA) Court Executive Development Certificate, December 2021 University of Wisconsin Green Bay 2012 ICM Fellow, May 2012 National Center for State Courts, Institute for Court Management Certified Court Executive Certificate, June 2011 National Center for State Courts, Institute for Court Management Instructional Design Graduate Certificate, August 2010 University of Wisconsin Stout Certified Court Manager Certificate, June 2007 National Center for State Courts, Institute for Court Management Bachelor of Science – Marketing Education with Business Certification, Speech Communication Minor, Business Administration Minor, March 2003 University of Wisconsin Stout High School Diploma, May 1981 McDonell Central High School Other Background Details: Married to Mike Hepfler; 4 grown children; 8 grandchildren Website: reelectkarenhepfler.com Why Karen Hepfler for Clerk of Courts?

I am a lifelong resident, who loves and is committed to the future of Chippewa County. For twenty-two years, I have served as a trusted, community- oriented and experienced leader in Chippewa County. As Clerk of Circuit Court, I have focused on saving tax payer dollars, increasing access to our courts and ensuring that our justice system is effective and efficient. I have earned the respect and confidence of my department/staff, our justice system partners, Chippewa County citizens and the Wisconsin Court System.

I have administered the dayto- day business functions for the courts including records management, court automation, jury system management, court finances/budgeting and administration for more than twenty years. Some of my responsibilities have included: leading and managing a staff of 15 people; developing and overseeing a $1.5 million annual budget; collection and disbursement of $2.25 million in annual revenues; developing policy and procedures for efficient records management of 10,000 cases each year; communicating and working closely with justice system partners such as law enforcement agencies, attorneys, district attorney offices, WI Department of Corrections, county departments, WI Department of Revenue, WI Department of Justice, social service agencies and medical health providers/assessors; and coordinating 2000 jurors each year. Additionally, my experience serving on local, regional and statewide committees has allowed me to influence how policies and projects have improved our ever-evolving court system, which benefits all Chippewa County citizens.

I have long worked to increase collections and fiscal responsibility, access to justice for self-represented litigants and educational opportunities for clerk of court staff; these continue to be important initiatives of mine. For example, I am currently participating on the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) Design Committee to review financial software enhancements that will streamline our accounting processes. The digital signage in the Clerk of Courts Public Access Room is an on-going project that provides information about forms, court procedures or other county departments to members of the public. Court staff participate in a variety of on-line training videos, webinars and continuing education programs each year.

I have enjoyed serving Chippewa County as your trusted Clerk of Courts, and appreciate your continued support for this next election. Thank you, Stanley community, for putting your trust in me!