Home: Westminster, CO. Birthplace: Casper, WY. Profession: Teacher. Title: Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Director. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Alma mater: Black Hills State College; University of Eastern Kentucky.
Current project: Returning to education and writing a book. Latest contribution to others: Invited to speak to at the Colorado Congressional Session on a bill to be passed for mental health. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Transitioning from education to the world of service. Hobbies: Spending time with family and sports card collecting. Last book read: A Little God Time for Men: 365 Daily Devotionals.
Personality profile: Flexible, durable, survivable, humor, loyal. Moral compass: God's word. How do you define a perfect friendship? Standing by your friend through thick and thin. Always there for each other. What is your greatest joy? Spending time with my daughter and grandsons. Seeing the growth of my students. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Doctors, military, police, and firefighters. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? On my grandsons. Lots of silly stuff that they like. What is at the top of your bucket list? Being able to return a punt in the NFL for a touchdown. How do you relieve stress? Hot showers, walks, and reflection.
What movie have you repeatedly watched? Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Maverick. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Family pics, hummingbird pictures and Denver Broncos logos. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Don’t stand around and do nothing and wait to be told what to do; look for things that need to be done and get them done. Learn to forgive and forget. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Document everything. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? E-mail. What is your go-to source of news and information? Local news or CNN. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The Covid-19 pandemic.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Mental health issues with students – need a more direct approach to assisting them.
What change would you like to see in the world? Assistants for the elderly who might not have the means to help themselves. What message do you want to send out into the world? Forgive those that make mistakes or can’t help themselves. What widely held belief do you reject? That evil wins. Good will always prevail. What mega-trend most concerns you? Ethical implications of privacy and what goes on the internet.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Kevin Costner. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My father, to ask why he made the choices he did. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A punt returner in the NFL. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? All my pictures and memories of different seasons of my life. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Making my grandson laugh and telling my family how much they mean to me. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? Running the steeplechase at districts in North Dakota to qualify for Nationals.
Personal mission: Show my family that if you keep grinding, things will work out. Personal motto: A broken crayon still has color. Favorite quote: “Always pray to have the eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God.”
