Where are you from originally?
I was born in Evanston, Illinois, and moved to Des Moines as an infant.
Tell us about your family.
My wife and I have lived in Urbandale for 12 years. We have three children. Our daughter is a senior in college, and our two sons, ages 6 and 10, attend Shuler Elementary.
What do you do for a living?
I am a consultant, teacher, administrator, and coach.
What do you like to do with your free time?
I like to spend time with family and friends.
What are some of things you like most about working and/or living in the Waukee area?
I enjoy the familiarity of my surroundings while serving to improve the community’s well-being. As a high school coach for the past 12 years, I have been fortunate to have been associated with many people while getting to know their family members. Outside the scope of coaching, I genuinely appreciate seeing these people in and around the city, especially as more time passes. These encounters go a long way in validating my family’s decision to live here.
You’re the Director of Vision Soccer Academy. Can you tell us about that?
The club has over 1,000 members and offers year-round programming for children as young as three years of age. We have been working diligently to find a new home to accommodate our growth, enhance programming, and hopefully extend our reach. Due to a partnership with the Waukee Community School District and many generous donors, we will move into our new facility at the intersection of Ashworth Road and SE LA Grant Parkway just after September 1st.
The new facility, known as Timberline Soccer Complex, will benefit tens of thousands of school-aged boys and girls, and hopefully impact the community, both economically and culturally, for many years to come.
The benefits of team sports are many, but in your opinion, what are the most important takeaways?
There is a reliance on others that determines varying levels of success. One individual very rarely can single-handedly produce team success, especially as the number of team members increases. Everyone has a role to play and a dependency on one another. Additionally, most high-performing teams have had to overcome some type of adversity. The notion that there will be no resistance or obstacles along your journey is inane.