I was born in 1983 at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, Washington, and grew up in Kennewick as the oldest of three siblings. My upbringing was modest, and like many families, ours faced real challenges. When my parents divorced while I was in elementary school, I spent time living with friends and moving between my parents’ homes—experiences that shaped my resilience and perspective early in life.

My father graduated from Hanford High School and worked in construction before spending years on the night shift at IBP. He was a loving, supportive parent, but he also lived with bipolar disorder throughout his life. Watching the toll mental illness can take on a family left a lasting impression on me and deepened my understanding of the importance of compassion, stability, and support for families facing similar struggles.

My mother graduated from Kiona-Benton High School and worked as a checker and front-end manager at the Albertsons in Richland for more than 20 years. Through hard work and determination, she did an incredible job raising my brothers and sister, and she remains a constant source of inspiration to me.

I attended schools throughout the Kennewick School District, including Vista, Southgate, Horse Heaven, Highlands, Southridge, and Kamiakin High School, where I graduated in 2001. It was at Kamiakin where I met the love of my life, my wife, Stephanie—a partnership that continues to ground me and guide everything I do.

Family 

Stephanie and I were married in 2002, and together we are raising three children who are the center of our lives.

Our oldest daughter, Olivia, was born in 2003 and graduated from Kamiakin High School in 2021. She is currently pursuing a degree in elementary education at Columbia Basin College and plans to transfer upon completing her program. Olivia was a dedicated student-athlete at Kamiakin and qualified for the state swim meet in the backstroke.

Our second daughter, Danika, was born in 2004 and graduated from Southridge High School in 2023. She is currently attending Central Washington University, where she is majoring in business and serves as the goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team. Following graduation, Danika plans to commission as an officer in the United States Army.

Our youngest, Bryce, was born in 2011 and currently attends Southridge High School. He plays basketball and brings constant energy and enthusiasm to our family.

Stephanie is an outstanding fourth-grade teacher at Ridgeview Elementary in the Kennewick School District and has been teaching for eight years. She also served as the head coach for Kamiakin High School’s swim and dive program for ten years. Stephanie is a caring, dedicated educator and an incredible role model for our children—her commitment to students and community inspires me every day.

Our family is guided by faith, service, and a strong belief in personal responsibility. We believe families are the foundation of strong communities, that education should build character as well as knowledge, and that service to others is both a duty and a privilege. These values shape how we raise our children, how we serve our neighbors, and how I approach leadership.

I believe in honest work, accountability, and treating others with respect—even when we disagree. I believe in stewardship—of our families, our communities, and our tax dollars—and in leaving things better than we found them.

Veteran | Work | Entrepreneurship

My first job was as a courtesy clerk at the Albertsons on Clearwater Avenue. Living at the Lakeside Apartments across the street made for an easy commute, and it was a simple but important introduction to responsibility and hard work.

At 19 years old, I learned I was going to be a father—an experience that quickly put life into perspective. Wanting to provide stability and opportunity for my growing family, I made the decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 2003. I served until 2007 as an administrative clerk.

My first duty station was Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, where Stephanie and I welcomed our second daughter, Danika. Starting a family at a young age wasn’t the traditional path, but we worked hard, leaned on faith and determination, and made it work. My second duty station was a reserve unit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I continued my service before transitioning back to civilian life.

After leaving the Marines, I spent the next seven years in retail management, working with companies including Target, PetSmart, Kohl’s, and Toys “R” Us. During that time, our family lived in several communities—Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Kennewick, Las Vegas, Layton, and Vancouver—experiences that gave me a broad understanding of how different communities and local economies function.

In 2014, we returned home to Kennewick, where I began working as a manager at Amazon. In 2018, I transitioned to work in the Hanford area, and during the COVID-19 pandemic I worked with an organization supporting disabled veterans. After restructuring led me to seek new opportunities, I joined Lourdes/Trios Health, before ultimately returning to work in the Hanford area in 2022, where I am currently employed.

A few years ago, our family launched a small business renting inflatable bounce houses. What began as a side project quickly grew into a successful family-run operation. Beyond the business success, it has been a blessing to work together as a family—teaching our children responsibility, teamwork, and the value of entrepreneurship.

College | Education 

After graduating from Kamiakin High School, I enrolled at Columbia Basin College. Shortly thereafter, Stephanie and I were blessed with our daughter, Olivia—a turning point that reshaped our priorities and responsibilities. At 19 years old, with a young family to support, I made the decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.

My educational path was not the traditional one. While serving and working, I pursued my degrees through online programs—an experience that required discipline, persistence, and strong time management.

In 2007, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Strayer University. In 2014, I completed my Master of Business Administration at Ashford University. In 2018, I earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education (non-license) from Grand Canyon University.

This nontraditional path reinforced my belief that education should be accessible, practical, and focused on real-world outcomes—values that continue to guide my work and public service today.