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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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| Name | Steve Sarvi |
| Address |
Watertown, Minnesota , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
January 30, 1965
(59 years)
|
| Contributor | ArmyDem |
| Last Modifed | Juan Croniqueur
Feb 13, 2024 11:45pm |
| Tags |
Army - Military Reserve - National Guard -
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| Info | During his nineteen years of active military duty and in the National Guard, he distinguished himself as a leader. In Minnesota, he strove to make local government work for its citizens as a city administrator in Lanesboro, Watertown, and Victoria. He also served his community as a three term Mayor in Watertown.
Why is Steve running for Congress? Simply put, he sees such a need for change and wants to use his leadership and experience to put America on a better course. Steve believes in the traditions of helping your neighbor and leaving the world a better place for our children. He believes in bringing people together to work on solutions for the common good. He represents common ground and a common purpose.
Military Service
As a young man, Steve felt a strong desire to serve his county. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army Reserves, serving as an Infantryman at Fort Snelling.
At the University of Minnesota, Steve enrolled in ROTC, switched from the Reserves to the Minnesota National Guard and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant following his sophomore year. Over the next two years, he served as a platoon leader and company executive officer for a tank company based in Chisholm. In 1985, he graduated from the US Army Airborne School and, in 1987, after graduating from the "U" with a BA in Political Science and Minor in Humanities, he joined the Active Army with a Regular Army commission.
Steve's first assignment took him to the Armor Officers Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He graduated in the top 3 of the class. His first duty assignment was with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served as a tank platoon leader, company executive officer and finally Assistant Operations Officer for the 3rd Battalion 68th Armored Regiment. One year after the first Gulf War ended, Steve left the Army at the rank of Captain.
Following a seven-year break from the service, Steve re-joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1999 as a Sergeant. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, stationed at the West St. Paul armory.
After 9/11
In response to the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001, his unit was called to Active Duty and stationed at the Minneapolis St-Paul Airport to help with security. His unit was once again activated in 2003 to serve in Kosovo, which is in the volatile Balkans, patrolling small villages and the boarder region between Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. During the Kosovo riots in the spring of 2004, members of his unit held back a crowd of over 2,000 Kosovo-Albanians who were attempting to destroy Serbian Orthodox churches and Kosovo-Serb homes in the city of Vitina. They successfully dispersed the crowd with no injuries or damage in their area of responsibility.
One of Steve's most rewarding experiences in the military involved using his knowledge of local government to teach villagers in Kosovo about city government. Steve worked with Kosovar and UN leaders to hold an election in a multi-ethnic village. Following the election he mentored the new village council on basic democratic governance, evaluating infrastructure needs and planning projects. This renewed his great appreciation for the hard work of government and how it can serve the needs of the people.
Later, as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant, Steve volunteered to serve with his National Guard unit (the famous 1-34 Red Bulls the unit with the distinction of being the longest serving combat Brigade) in Iraq, stepping down as mayor of Watertown to do so. After unit training in Mississippi and the first 3 months of deployment alongside his soldiers, Steve was selected to become the Civil Military Affairs Officer for Task Force Wild. This appointment was made because of his background in government and service in Kosovo. Among their many projects, he supervised the building of new schools, upgrading roads, distribution of water storage tanks and irrigation pumps, and assisted in logistic support and other training for the Iraqi Highway Patrol. One unique economic development project is being used as a model elsewhere in Iraq. In all, Task Force Wild completed over $400,000 in reconstruction projects which improved the lives of many rural Iraqis. Each project utilized local labor, leading to the employment of hundreds of people.
In May 2008 Steve will have completed over 20 years of military service to Minnesota and the nation. Among his awards and decorations are: The Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Minnesota Commendation Medal, and the Minnesota Good Conduct Medal. Steve is a member of the American Legion Post 121 in Watertown.
Local Government
Steve has been working in local government since 1994. His first position was as City Administrator/Clerk in Lanesboro where he learned how well thought-out local government can meet the needs of the people. Steve moved on to become the City Administrator in both Watertown and then Victoria, where he continued the hard work of local government. Since his return from Iraq, Steve has resumed his job as the City Administrator of Victoria.
Steve was elected as the Mayor of Watertown in 2000. He was reelected in 2002 and 2004. In Watertown, Steve is held in high regard for his ability to bring people together, for his understanding of government issues, and for his fiscal responsibility. He stepped down as Mayor in 2005 to serve in Iraq.
Some of his major involvements include: The Southwest Corridor Transportation Coalition, Member of the Minnesota State Fire Fighters Training Board, Watertown Chamber of Commerce, League of Minnesota Cities Improving Local Economies Committee and Council Member, SE Minnesota Initiative Fund, Council on Collaboration. Steve also served several years on the Lanesboro Fire Department/Ambulance Service as a Firefighter and EMT-B.
Family
Steve lives in the Carver County city of Watertown, with his wife Barbara who hails from Winona Minnesota. They married in 1988. Barb has worked for years as a Title I paraprofessional in the Watertown-Mayer School District. They have three children, Daniel, Mary-Kate and Nathan.
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