About Me

I’d like to take a moment to share more about my background—beyond what you might gather from my résumé.

I grew up in northeast Nebraska, where I attended high school before earning my undergraduate degree from Wayne State College (WSC) in Wayne, NE. During my junior year of high school, I made a pivotal decision to join the Army National Guard, a commitment that shaped my life for the next 22 years. Early in my time at WSC, I also met my wife—now my partner of over 27 years (and counting)!

After graduating, I began my career with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Risk Management Bank Examiner in their Sioux Falls, SD, field office. My wife and I, along with our growing family, settled in Sioux Falls, where we lived for over a decade. During this time, I honed my skills in financial analysis, navigated the complexities of bank regulation, and earned my commission as a bank examiner. Toward the end of my tenure in that role, I pursued my MBA at the University of South Dakota—all while balancing work, family life, and supporting my wife in running a small business.

As our family grew, I realized I wanted to spend more time with my wife and daughters, which led me to my next career move. In 2009, I transitioned to a Senior Financial Analyst role with the FDIC in the Kansas City, MO, Regional Office. Our family of five relocated to the metro area and quickly made it our home. Once again, I embraced new challenges, acquiring the additional skills needed to excel in financial analysis.

At the same time, I continued serving in the National Guard—now as an Officer—until I was deployed to the Horn of Africa from 2012 to 2013. Upon returning and reintegrating with family and friends, I deepened my expertise in financial analysis, earning both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute and the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) credential from the Global Association of Risk Professionals.

After completing my 22-year military career in 2016, I sought new ways to contribute and grow. This led me to begin a part-time career in teaching finance, accounting, and economics. Teaching has been incredibly fulfilling, allowing me to refine my presentation and organizational skills while staying at the forefront of industry developments.

With the government currently in transition, I now find myself at a professional crossroads. While this change wasn’t something I had anticipated, I welcome the opportunity to take on new challenges and embrace the personal and professional growth that comes with them.