Personal:
I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec. 8, 1950. My wife Susan and I met in high school and we married in 1971. Together we raised six beautiful children, two boys Brandon and Nathan ages 39 and 29 and four girls Melissa, Natalie, Jessica and Ashley ages 37, 35, 32 and 27. Melissa, Jessica and Ashley married Scott, Abe, and BJ from Billings, Montana, Natalie married Dan from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, Nathan married Colette from Elizabeth, Colorado and Brandon married Jennifer from Bozeman, Montana. As a result of those unions we are blessed with 23 grandchildren. Melissa, Jessica, Ashley and Brandon and their families currently live in Billings.
Education:
I attended Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah and served as a delegate to Boy’s State where I gained my first experiences in politics. In 1969 I graduated from Granite High. I attended the University of Utah and graduated cum laude in 1972 with a BS degree in Psychology. As well as studying psychology, I completed extensive course work in philosophy, history and political science. I then went on to graduate school at the University of Utah working on a Masters Degree in the Rehabilitation Program.
Employment:
Early in my life I began working for my father in the family livestock business. I continued working on the farm until I entered graduate school. At that time I started working part time for Sears Roebuck and Company in Salt Lake City, Utah. I decided to make a career out of working for Sears and was accepted into their Management Trainee Program in 1973. My first promotion to a salaried position was that of Store Manager in Tooele, Utah. While working for Sears we had the opportunity to live in many different parts of the country. In 1978 we moved to Logan, Utah where I was the store Operations Manager. We moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1980 and my assignment was that of Merchandise Manager for the store.
The year 1981 found us in Bothell, Washington where I worked in the region offices managing inventories for stores and warehouses in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. In 1986 I was transferred to the home office in Chicago, Illinois. I worked in the Sears Tower in the computer systems development department as a Systems Planning Consultant working on replenishment and logistics projects. In 1993 I was named the General Store Manager of the Billings Sears store and our family moved to Montana. After living in this great state for a few short months we decided this is where we would retire. I retired from Sears in 2005 and began a second career working for a general construction company doing remodel and new construction work.
Interests and Activities:
I am currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Montana Shooting Sports Association. I served as a member of the Board of Directors of The Montana Retail Association acting as Chair for two years. I served on the Board of Directors for the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce where I was the Vice Chair of the Public Affairs Council and the Vice Chair of the Convention & Visitors Council. I was also active in the Legislative Committee, Legislative subcommittee, Local Government Committee and the Tourism Advisory Council. I have also served on the Board of Directors and as shelter manager volunteer for the Midland Empire Chapter of The American Red Cross. I am currently serving in the Montana State House of Representatives representing House District 55.
I have enjoyed many years of service in my church working with adults and youth and as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America serving as a Scout Master, Varsity Coach and as an Explorer Leader.
I am a member of the NRA and the Montana Shooting Sports Association. I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, and spending time helping out on my son-in-law’s family ranch.
The hardworking, common sense, patriotic and independent spirit of Montana citizens is one of the reasons that we love this state. Their willingness to help one another and the friendly wave over the steering wheel makes us feel like we have family in every part of the state.
It is our belief that individual citizens have the ability to solve the complex problems that we are faced with every day. Government should help create an environment that encourages creativity to solve those problems and not cause undue hindrance. As a people we are more productive if our creativity comes from a desire to improve our lives and not from government mandates.
We truly love living in the state of Montana and have found it a great place to raise our family. I count it a great blessing serving in my community and being able to spend time with my children and grandchildren enjoying the beauty, freedom and spirit of the Big Sky Country. My desire is for all children to inherit a land that is even better than the one I love and enjoy so much.
Susan and I have reached a season in our lives where we have the time and means to be more active in taking a role to help ensure that the natural wonders, values and opportunities that we have enjoyed are possible for our children and grandchildren as well as all the citizens of Montana. We are willing, have the experience and ready to serve this great state.