I was born in Bishop, California. Growing up in Bishop and the surrounding mountains, I developed a love of the outdoors. After high school graduation, I joined the USAF. After my stint in the Air Force, I attended college in Southern California, living in the Laguna Beach area. During the summers, I was a wildland firefighter for the USFS, first on a Type-I hand crew, then on helicopters. After leaving school, I went to work for the US government at the Nevada Test Site, settling in Tonopah. After deciding to leave Tonopah, I changed gears and worked for David Barkley in Lake Tahoe for a few years. During this time I moved to Douglas County and became an active volunteer firefighter. Missing wildland firefighting, I went to work for the Nevada Division of Forestry and worked in several different positions, finally promoting to Battalion Chief. With a change in governors, the State of Nevada decided to get out of the county fire protection business. I then decided to take a position with East Fork Fire and Paramedic Districts (now known as East Fork Fire Protection District). During my career at East Fork, my peers elected me President of the East Fork Professional Firefighters. I served in this position for over 12 years. I was also elected as Northern Vice President and then Vice President of the Professional Firefighters of Nevada.  I finished my career as a firefighter in 2013.

I have been a member of the BPO Elks for 45 years. At one time I was one of the youngest people ever initiated into the Elks. I enjoy all types of fishing, but mostly fly fishing, both fresh and saltwater.  I am an avid hunter of wild game and fowl.  I enjoy traveling with my wife Jeri and our English Setter “Sami”. We have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.