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State Representative Joel Kitchens

As the son of an FBI Special Agent, my family moved frequently while I was growing up. I was born in Washington D.C. and finished elementary school, middle school, high school, and college in four different states. Sturgeon Bay has become the hometown I never had as a child.

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ohio State University. Following graduation, I married Sherry Billet, who is also a veterinarian. In 1984, we moved to Sturgeon Bay and started our own veterinary practice. For over 30 years, I managed the business and worked as a farm animal veterinarian in Door and Kewaunee Counties. Sherry continues to operate Peninsula Veterinary Service in Sturgeon Bay. We are the proud parents of three adult children: Rebecca, Caroline and Will.

I ran for the Sturgeon Bay School Board in 1999, a time of financial crisis for the district.  We were able to return the district to sound financial footing and after two years I was elected president of the board, serving for 13 years until I resigned to run for the Assembly.

I am very proud of my role in the Assembly, which has included advocating for common sense legislation to protect both the groundwater and the economy of our district. I firmly believe that these two goals are not mutually exclusive and I will continue to encourage collaboration between our agriculture and conservation communities, as well as our scientists to ensure our district is a healthy community full of opportunities. I am also working hard to improve the education of our state, as kids are our future. I am genuinely enjoying my fifth term in the Assembly and feel honored that the people of the 1st Assembly District have trusted me to represent them. 
 

GET TO KNOW...

State Representative Joel Kitchens

As the son of an FBI Special Agent, my family moved frequently while I was growing up. I was born in Washington D.C. and finished elementary school, middle school, high school, and college in four different states. Sturgeon Bay has become the hometown I never had as a child.

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ohio State University. Following graduation, I married Sherry Billet, who is also a veterinarian. In 1984, we moved to Sturgeon Bay and started our own veterinary practice. For over 30 years, I managed the business and worked as a farm animal veterinarian in Door and Kewaunee Counties. Sherry continues to operate Peninsula Veterinary Service in Sturgeon Bay. We are the proud parents of three adult children: Rebecca, Caroline and Will.

I ran for the Sturgeon Bay School Board in 1999, a time of financial crisis for the district.  We were able to return the district to sound financial footing and after two years I was elected president of the board, serving for 13 years until I resigned to run for the Assembly.

I am very proud of my role in the Assembly, which has included advocating for common sense legislation to protect both the groundwater and the economy of our district. I firmly believe that these two goals are not mutually exclusive and I will continue to encourage collaboration between our agriculture and conservation communities, as well as our scientists to ensure our district is a healthy community full of opportunities. I am also working hard to improve the education of our state, as kids are our future. I am genuinely enjoying my fifth term in the Assembly and feel honored that the people of the 1st Assembly District have trusted me to represent them.