I am incredibly proud of my family, as they are all community-minded individuals. Meeting my wife in 1983, a graduate of George Fox University, fulfilled my dream of a complete and happy life. My wife, Melody, now retired from teaching, is actively involved in Yamhill County CASA, enjoys playing pickleball, loves to travel, and explores every craft imaginable.

My oldest son, Taylor, serves in the U.S. Coast Guard and is happily married to a health professional. My youngest son, Spencer, returned from the Peace Corps in Africa, earned his master’s degree from Portland State University, and now works for AmeriCorps, overseeing volunteer initiatives such as AmeriCorps Seniors and AmeriCorps VISTA, among others.

Being a member of the Newberg Rotary Club has been a significant part of my life since the mid-1990s. "Service Above Self" is the Rotary motto, and I have strived to live by it. I have enjoyed collaborating with local Rotary clubs to build playgrounds, fund youth scholarships, support the high school resource room, and contribute to international efforts, including polio eradication, environmental stewardship, and health-related projects. One of my fondest memories is traveling to Guatemala to assist local dentists in providing much-needed dental care to villagers who otherwise would not have access to a dentist.

Additionally, for the past three years, I have had the honor of serving on the Oregon Parks and Recreation Local Government Grant Advisory Committee after being selected by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission. In the most recent budget cycle, I reviewed over 49 grant applications from cities, counties, and special districts throughout Oregon, ultimately awarding $30 million in critical grant funding. It was a time-consuming task, but the opportunity to help fund so many deserving park projects was deeply rewarding.