Arnold, a native of Richmond, was introduced to county government while covering the county board as a reporter for the St. Cloud Times. She worked for Burlington-Northern before being elected to the Stearns County Board in 1988.
Arnold currently serves as vice-chair of the Stearns County Board, is vice-chair of the Tri-County Solid Waste Commission, and chairs both the MnDOT District 3 Area Transportation Planning Committee and the Stearns County Planning Commission. Arnold has also been involved in numerous civic organizations. She previously served as first vice-president for the Association of Minnesota Counties.
As a member of the executive committee, Arnold will play an instrumental role in overseeing the direction of the association, including its legislative priorities and financial health. In her acceptance speech, Arnold encouraged county commissioners and staff to be involved in the association. “I want to see all of us helping one another in order to do the good we need to do on behalf of the citizens who live and work in our counties,” she said.