A Life of Public Service:

I was born in Mason City, Iowa in 1951, the fourth oldest in a family of 11 children. After Dad returned from Korea, we moved around following his job as an Air Force recruiter to several small towns, until settling in Sioux City, Iowa in 1958.  We lived about an hour from our grandparents in South Dakota, and an hour from our large extended family of cousins on farms in Nebraska.  I come from a long line of farmers, teachers, and military men, and am proud of my family and our accomplishments. My son Jesse, daughter Elizabeth, and grandson Fletcher are the light of my life.

Most of us older kids worked our way through college.  I graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1974 with a degree in social work, and received my Masters in Management (Public Administration) from Southern Oregon University in 2002.

I moved to Klamath Falls in 1978 and immediately became involved in the community. In 1986, I opened my own business as a consultant to the non-profit sector in strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing and Board development.

In the ensuing years I have provided services to a number of local and regional agencies, in the areas of health, human services, the arts, education, civic improvement and economic development. I have raised millions of dollars for local projects that enhance our rural quality of life.  I have served on numerous boards and commissions that provide leadership for organizations and good stewardship of scarce financial resources.  I believe in Klamath Falls, and I believe in giving back to the community that has given so much to myself and my children.