Staff Snapshots.

• Author: Freeman, Misty Mason

Misty Mason Freeman

Hometown: Adair Village, Ore. (outside of Corvallis)

Role: Director, Legislative Policy and Research Office

Years of legislative service: About six years in different roles over the last decade. Freeman is also a graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute.

Who inspires her: "I especially admire members of the public who make time to share their stories, testifying with a child on their lap or in between jobs, talking about difficult moments or issues that directly impact their lives, in an effort to make the best Oregon."

Why did you choose to work at the legislature?

For many years I have been passionate about governance and always wanted to help bridge the conversation between decision-makers and the folks for whom they are making decisions. My happy place is digging into a policy area in all its complexity and helping others understand it without the pressure of advocating for a particular outcome. Serving in Oregon's nonpartisan Legislative Policy and Research Office lets me do just that.

What skill or talent are you most proud of?

In graduate school, a professor made me read through hundreds of pages of books, academic articles and dry reports each week and boil the information down to a two-page overview of key points. At the time it seemed like busywork, but as it turns out, being able to synthesize a large amount of information accurately, quickly and succinctly has come in very handy working for the legislature.

What's the best advice you were ever given?

My mom said to me, "People are just people. No matter their position, beliefs, background, wealth or any other factor, it's important to see them, treat them well, do your best for them." And that is the way I...