Biography

Born in Germany when my father was stationed at Hahn A.F.B. Relatively normal childhood, though on the spectrum, and graduated in the top 10% of my high school class (4-year JROTC). I then served a 2-year mission in Thailand after 1 year as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Upon my return stateside, I served in the U.S Army for 7 years as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense officer after graduating from BYU with a B.S. degree in Microbiology/Premed. At the time of my graduation, I received my commission as an Army officer through the ROTC program on a 4-year ROTC scholarship. Afterwards, I transitioned into the workforce as a Safety Professional for ~20 years under NASA with the Space Shuttle Program at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and the Unmanned Launch Program at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Upon leaving KSC, my wife and I, and the remaining five of our twelve children relocated to Utah to be with our adult children after living for short periods in Franklin, NC and Las Vegas, NV. After moving to Utah, I decided to go back into teaching, which has been a life passion. Since then I have obtained my professional license in teaching with endorsements in Biology and Middle School Science. In August 2021 I graduated from Utah State University (USU) with my Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. I would like to complete the additional coursework to obtain endorsements in earth science and possibly chemistry.

Outside of family I enjoy reading, travel, hiking, woodworking, home/RV improvement, and am looking forward to doing some writing. (Note: During some of my down time, I also enjoyed working at the Kennecott Copper Mine as a Haul Truck Driver)