If you’re a long-time listener, then surely you remember Juanita Vero. Juanita is a fourth-generation Montana rancher, conservationist, community leader, and all-around inspiring woman. She’s also a devoted public servant, serving as a Missoula County Commissioner, where she gets her hands dirty with the critical and often not-so-glamorous work of county government. Juanita’s name will be on the ballot in Missoula County this November, where she is hoping to win a six-year term to continue her service as a Commissioner.
Juanita joined me on the podcast back in 2018, then again on stage at last year’s live podcast in Bozeman, so her personal story is probably familiar. I wanted to have her back on the show as we approach the election because her story serves as an inspiring example of how citizens can push outside of their comfort zones to lead the communities they love. As you’ll hear, Juanita had never considered assuming a public office—but when the opportunity presented itself, and she was encouraged to pursue it by fellow community leaders, she jumped at the chance. Since then, she has gone all-in and has thrived in her role as County Commissioner.
If you’re like me, you are probably overwhelmed with the negative, inflammatory news regarding politics and the upcoming election. But Juanita’s campaign and her desire to serve stands in stark contrast to much of our national discourse—she’s driven by a love of place, humility, a sense of duty, genuine curiosity, and a desire to find common ground. I think it’s important to remember that there are committed public servants in every county and city—good people who are driven not by the desire to accumulate power but by a desire to leave their communities better than they found them. Wherever you live, I hope that Juanita’s example will encourage you to engage with your local elected leaders, truly understand the candidates running for local offices, or maybe even run for office yourself. But at the least, I know you’ll enjoy listening to Juanita’s story, which will hopefully make you feel better about the world during these crazy times!
Photos courtesy of Juanita Vero
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EPISODE NOTES
Topics Discussed:
- 3:30 – Why and how Juanita decided to enter politics
- 9:30 – Specific experiences that let Juanita know she was ready to be a commissioner
- 13:30 – Importance of talking to her Grandfather
- 19:15 – What exactly is a county commissioner?
- 22:15 – Example of how commissioners can influence development
- 25:30 – Why she’s running for office
- 28:30 – Commissioners as true public servants
- 32:30 – COVID’s impact on Missoula County
- 34:30 – Positive effects of the “new normal” of COVID
- 36:00 – Transition from working on the land to an office job
- 39:20 – Advice for citizens who want to work productively with local government
- 42:30 – Greatest challenges and opportunities in Missoula County
- 46:15 – Smaller issues worth considering
- 48:00 – Climate change & Missoula County solutions
- 52:00 – Importance of community leadership
- 53:30 – Favorite books
- 57:15 – Favorite films
- 58:30 – Funny and surprising activities
- 59:30 – Parting words of wisdom
Information Referenced:
- Juanita Vero for Missoula County Commissioner
- Juanita Vero episodes – Part 1 and Live in Bozeman
- Missoula County
- Missoula County Commissioners
- Jim Howell episodes 1 and 2
- Will Laverack
- The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
- The Heart of Everything That Is by Bob Drury
- One Sentence Journal by Chris La Tray
- Chris La Tray episode
- Woman: An Intimate Geography by Natalie Angier
- Public Trust documentary
- Hal Herring episode
- Victor Frankl
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these as well:
- Gabe Vasquez – Advocate for Equity in the Outdoors
- Daniela Ibarra-Howell – Healing the Land Holistically
- James Decker – Inspired Leadership in the New West
- Becca Aceto – Forging Her Own Path in the West
- Hal Herring – A Man of Words & Wild Places
- Mary Rondepierre – Melding Work, Play, and Purpose
- Jessica Lewis – Doing More With Less
