Jen Metzger was elected as Ulster County’s 3rd County Executive in November 2022, and serves as the first elected woman Ulster County Executive. She is an Ulster County resident of over 21 years, with extensive experience in local and state government, international affairs, and community advocacy. Jen believes in ‘thinking globally and acting locally,’ and leverages hard work, a collaborative spirit, and a patient, solutions-oriented approach to build opportunities and overcome challenges for Ulster County residents and businesses. After graduating from Oberlin College with High Honors, Jen began her career at the United Nations Association, where she organized hearings for the first international negotiations on climate change. Afterwards, she taught college courses in political science, environmental policy, political economy, and international relations at Rutgers University, where she earned her PhD in Political Science. Jen served for more than a decade in local government in the Town of Rosendale, first as Deputy Town Supervisor and then as a Town Councilmember. She also served as the Chair of the Rosendale Environmental Commission and Co-Chair of the Ulster County Community Energy Program Working Group. While serving in local government, Jen also co-founded and directed Citizens for Local Power, an organization dedicated to fighting unfair utility rates and practices and helping communities shift to a locally-based clean energy economy.