Jill Techel graduated from Grand Forks Central in 1965, and the University of North Dakota in 1969. Upon her graduation from UND, Techel moved west, and eventually settled in Napa, Calif. in 1971.

Since that time, Techel has been a very active member of her community serving with the Napa Parks and Recreation commission, Napa-Vallejo Waste Management Authority, Napa County Flood and Water Conservation Board, and as the president of the Napa Valley Unified School District Board.

Techel has also served on the Napa City Council since 1996; and in 2005, she was elected mayor of Napa, a position she still holds today.