​

         I was born and raised in west-central Minnesota in the same 19th century farmhouse that raised my dad. It was in my high school days that I had the privilege of being in FFA, in which I served as a Chapter and Regional Officer. Within days of graduating high school, I entered the United States Army where I served for 3 years as a mechanic. The Army provided me with the financial means for college, the opportunity to see 13 different countries including 2 combat zones (although I was never in combat), friendships that have lasted a lifetime, and equipped me to be the family mechanic.  I transitioned directly into the Minnesota National Guard upon my discharge and served in that capacity until I graduated from college. 

         After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice (Minor in Psychology), I began what would become a 25-year career in community corrections.  The first decade was spent as an adult felony probation/parole agent for the Minnesota Department of Corrections.  Within the first year of the position, I volunteered to become a trainer of a risk assessment instrument and quickly discovered a passion for professional development.  As the years ticked by, I became credentialed in other correctional evidence-based practices (Case Planning, Motivational Interviewing and others) and became the state’s first Evidence-Based Practices Project Coordinator when the MN Department of Corrections created the position in 2008. 

         As the EBP Project Coordinator, I served as a resource to several MN county probation agencies; providing training, quality assurance and staff coaching as needed.  I was also honored to serve as the gubernatorial-appointed probation officer representative on the MN Sentencing Guidelines Commission.  Additionally, I also represented Minnesota as a Regional Training Coordinator for the National Institute for Corrections.  In 2009, I was accepted to the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and began developing curriculum and training trainers to support the state-wide implementation of that approach.

          In 2013, I was appointed as the Director of Itasca County Probation and served in that role for 10 years.  Working at the county level was a very enriching experience – allowing me to work more closely with local prevention coalitions which really lit a flame for me.  Prevention.  Upstream.  I found it (and still find it) very energy-giving. 

          Curriculum development and training delivery has been a “side-hustle” of mine since 2009 and in 2022 the decision was made to flip the switch and do it full-time. 

           I currently reside in Grand Rapids, MN, with my lovely wife, Charity, of

27 years.  We are the proud parents of two boys— men, actually.  Our

oldest is an apprentice electrician and our youngest is currently serving

in the U.S. Army.