Jan Strom has a strong background in marketing and events management. She says of herself that her work experience includes being a speaker, an actor, a fitness industry leader, a television presenter, a small business operator, a marketer, a university lecturer, a work place trainer, a community activist, a local government Councillor, a wife and mother.

She lived in various towns and cities, as well as in Italy and the United Kingdom before moving to Coffs Harbour in 1982. She is married to Peter Strom and they have two sons. In 1983 she established Bootlace Productions and worked as an actor and producer for it until 1995.

From 1982 to 1992 she was a television presenter with NRTV, and owned and ran Jazz Fitness. She has organised and coordinated many events including Southern Cross University Open Days, Jetty Festivals, Carols by Candlelight, and public lectures. She worked as Marketing and Community Liaison Officer for Southern Cross University from 1995 to 2001, while obtaining her Assoc. Degree in Management and Professional Studies (1997) and a Masters degree in Professional Management (2004). She also lectured at Southern Cross University in Business, and Tourism and Hotel Management.

She is Deputy Chair of the Mid North Coast Regional Development Board, Chair of the Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival, and an executive member of the Coffs harbour Chamber of Commerce. Although no longer a member of the City Council, Jan Strom continues to participate in a wide range of community activities.

Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.lgsa_org.au/ssite/news/1000160/2999387.html (accessed 7 October 2005); http://www.janstrom.com.au/home.htm (ccessed 7 October 2005); The Advocate, (Coffs Harbour), 12, 20 March 2003.