Dale Kooyenga
Wisconsin’s Fiscal Condition
Dale grew up the oldest of four siblings in a blue collar family and neighborhood. The son of a garbage man and a nurse, he is proud of the Christian values and strong Midwestern work ethic instilled in him by his parents.
Following high school, Dale attended his local Community College on a basketball scholarship and was subsequently recruited by Lakeland College in Sheboygan, where he played NCAA Division III basketball and graduated with honors. He later went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Marquette University.
Dale applied his skills as a Certified Public Accountant at KPMG firm for ten years. During his career at this international accounting firm, he worked with Wisconsin’s largest manufacturing, health care, financial services and nonprofit organizations.
Kooyenga Family
In 2005, Dale enlisted in the United States Army alongside his two brothers. After completing basic training, Officer Candidate School and the Military Intelligence Officer Course, he returned to his career in public accounting and married Jennifer Smith. Two years later, Dale was called to serve in Iraq under the command of General David Petraeus. His team realized an 80% decrease in significant hostile acts from January 2008 to November 2008. Dale was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
Today, Dale remains a Captain in the United States Army Reserve, owns a small business, and is most proud of his roles as a husband and father. Dale and Jennifer live in Brookfield with their three children, Grant, Taylor, Quin, and Ada where they attend Brookfield Christian Reformed Church.
As a Citizen Soldier, Dale believes in the value of Citizen Legislators. He began his political career by running for State Assembly in 2010. Dale visited over 100 businesses and knocked on over 10,000 doors to meet the men, women, and children who would become his constituents. In anticipation of his third term, Dale is committed to making the same efforts to spend time in the community with his employers, the citizens of the 14th Assembly District.
In the State Assembly, Dale Kooyenga has been recognized nationally and statewide for his vigorous efforts, and accomplishments, in not only lowering the Wisconsin tax burden, but also reforming the tax code by eliminating 18 special interest tax credits, eliminating the estate tax and reducing the number of tax brackets from 5 to 4. Dale has also been active in education reform, child welfare issues and licensing reforms that ensured more Wisconsin residents have access to jobs.
Dale Kooyenga is a member of the United States Army Reserve. Use of his military rank, job titles and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement from the Department of Defense or the United States Army.