I've lived in eastern South Dakota all my life. I was born in Watertown, 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. 

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 (with undetermined success).

I love cooking, spreadsheets, and maps. I'm a hot sauce enthusiast (148 bottles and counting), a wannabe carpenter, and a big fan of the Philadelphia Eagles (Go Birds!) I love a good chili cookoff, I'm a sucker for musicals, and I enjoy snapping photos of random, whimsical items spotted on the ground.

And in perhaps my greatest athletic* achievement (and certainly my Vermillion-est one), at Dakota Days 2000 I ate an entire 64-oz prime rib dinner at the Silver Dollar Saloon, 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).

*Your definition of "athletic" may vary. 😆