I've lived in eastern South Dakota all my life. I grew up in Estelline, and my family moved to Elk Point before I started high school. I graduated from Elk Point-Jefferson and moved on to the University of South Dakota, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. I then earned my Master of Business Administration degree while working full-time for USD in Vermillion and later Sioux Falls.

I've lived in Vermillion longer than anywhere else. It truly is "home."

My wife Catherine and I live in Vermillion with our children Laney and Waylon who are finishing their 9th and 3rd grade years in Vermillion Public Schools. My adult son, Blake, didn't attend Vermillion schools, but we don't hold that against him too much! We also have two dogs, Ziggy and Sam, who are charming but unteachable.

Public education is a tradition in my family. My grandma taught for 37 years, starting in a small country school near Naples, SD (Population: 38). My dad's career spanned 30+ years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, and I spent many winter evenings in my childhood lobbying for snow days.

I love cooking, spreadsheets, and maps. I'm a hot sauce enthusiast (148 bottles and counting), a wannabe carpenter, and a huge fan of  the Philadelphia Eagles (Go Birds!) I also enjoy snapping photos of random, whimsical items spotted on the ground. And in perhaps my greatest athletic achievement, I ate an entire 64-oz prime rib dinner at Vermillion's Silver Dollar Saloon on Dakota Days weekend in October 2000, in the presence of sitting US Senator and Vermillion native Tim Johnson (who was incredibly kind, and gracious enough to pose for a photo with my friend and me).