Personal

I am a native Minnesotan, raised in central Minnesota. My dad was a small businessman. He owned a barbershop for 42 years. He modeled the values of compassion and common sense as I grew up watching him pour his life into his family, business, and community. My mom was a surgical nurse. She modeled care and commitment as I grew up watching her pour her life into her family, work, and community. These are the values I bring to my service.

My wife Kris and I married in 1992 and are 29-year residents of Lakeville. We have two adult children, Mitchell and Lydia who are both graduates of Lakeville schools. We have two dogs, Kairo (Samoyed) and Chester (Bernese Mountain Dog).

Education

I hold a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul and I am a graduate of Concordia University in St. Paul with a degree in organizational management and communication. I am also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the Harvard University Kennedy School Crisis Leadership Program.

Professional Experience

I serve as the Chaplain at The Fountains at Hosanna, a senior care facility in Lakeville. Before arriving at The Fountains, I had a 38-year career in public safety. In 2018, I retired from the Apple Valley Police Department as a Captain after 33 years of service. In 2023, I retired from Carleton College as the Director of Security and Emergency Management after five years of service. I am the founder/president of Influence International, a Lakeville-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that equips public service leaders for capable, compassionate service that is not subject to personal gain.

Other Activities

In addition to serving as a Lakeville City Councilmember, I serve on the board of Haiti Teen Challenge and am a member and past president of Hosanna Church. I have board experience with the YMCA, Lakeville Baseball Association, Fraternal Order of Police, and the LNHS Speech Booster Board. I have served on the Apple Valley Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, the LOGIS Public Safety Steering Committee, and as an alternate on the Dakota Communications Center Law Enforcement Operations Group.