Alan Shilepsky, 55, owns a small computer consulting business located in downtown Minneapolis. He provides database application development and support services to large and small companies. Trained in physics (BS--Tufts Univ. Phi Beta Kappa, MS--Univ. of Wisconsin), policy analysis, and economics (coursework--Univ. of Minnesota School of Public Affairs), he previously worked for federal and Minnesota government agencies in environmental protection and program evaluation.
At US-Environmental Protection Agency (Office of Solid Waste Management Programs) he edited a series of guides for municipal officials on resource recovery plant implementation. At US-General Accounting Office (Energy and Minerals Division) he participated in program audits of the Federal Power Commission and the Department of Interior. At the Minnesota State Planning Agency (where he went on inter-agency loan from GAO) he supervised a study of Minnesota's solid and hazardous waste problem. At the Minnesota Waste Management Board he served as Research and Policy Director, supervising development of a state hazardous waste management plan and participating in hazardous waste management facility siting. In 1983 he left government service to begin his own consulting business.
Shilepsky considers himself a political moderate. He was an active Democrat until 1995 when he joined the then-Independence Party, now-Reform Party of Minnesota. He says he was looking for a party that was "fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and campaign and government reform-minded." He has served as Reform Party Public Relations Chair and 5th Congressional District Chair, and ran in 1996 for State Representative 59B against a 24-year incumbent, earning 13 percent of the vote. His Democratic campaign experience ranges back to Gene McCarthy, and forward to Paul Tsongas (Alan's political hero) and Bill Clinton `92 (one reason he quit the DFL in 1995).
Shilepsky has been active in civic organizations all his life. He was President of his 500-unit condominium, served on several Citizens League committees, was a tutor at Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center, was active in the Concord Coalition for deficit reduction, co-chaired a citizens committee on police-community relations, and was a board member of a variety of organizations including CLIMB (Creative Learning Ideas for Mind and Body- education through theater), Central Community Housing Trust (affordable housing), and Downtown Minneapolis Residents Association (esp. on LRT issues).
He and his wife Diane Fitzgerald, a glass bead artist, author, and teacher, have lived in downtown Minneapolis for 20 years. He has two stepchildren and five grandchildren. He grew up in Connecticut and first came to Minnesota in 1971. His hobbies include reading history, listening to Teaching Company tapes, mentoring third party activists, cooking, and learning new computer skills. He once cooked for three months in a daycare center.
Alan's preferred epithet is that of Chaucer's itinerant scholar: "Gladly would he learn, and gladly teach." He loves questioning conventional wisdom and the status quo, frequently repeating the quote: "I don't know who discovered water, but I know it wasn't the fish." (No disrespect meant to fish, but unfortunately we often take for granted and overlook that which is all around us.)
Alan has been campaigning actively since spring. He appeared at 15 county fairs and other festivals, spent 6 days in the Reform Party's State Fair booth, and went to many meetings and schools. He marched in 16 parades around the state, wearing a bright yellow hat and juggling to amuse the kids.
115 Hennepin Ave., Minnepolis, MN 55401 (612) 333-5181
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