Missoula is a great place to live and to raise a family. As a lifelong Missoulian, I recognize what we love about our community is also what has brought about growth and change throughout my lifetime. As I watch my son attend the same elementary school I once did, and see all the opportunities Missoula has provided me, I want to help assure Missoula future generations have the same opportunities to live and work in a place we all love. 

I am a graduate of the University of Montana with a degree in Political Science and a Masters Degree in Public Administration. After college, I worked in housing at UM, before becoming a real estate agent. I am currently the Vice President of a statewide real estate brokerage and the Managing Broker for our Missoula market. I am currently the President of the United Way of Missoula County Board of Directors and the Vice-President of the Missoula County Fairgrounds Foundation. Prior to being elected to Council, I was a Commissioner on the Missoula Housing Authority Board and have served on several non-profit boards, strategic planning committees, and charitable fundraising efforts for various organizations, such as Opportunity Resources. I am a volunteer youth sports coach and a proud supporter and alumnus of the University of Montana.

My professional commitments have also given me the opportunity to gain deep knowledge and experience with housing in Missoula — experience that is essential given the challenges we are facing as a community today. I have served on several city, county, and state committees and working groups to discuss housing related issues in our communities including a working group for the City of Missoula Housing Plan, A Place to Call Home: Meeting Missoula's Housing Needs. As our city undertakes a crucially important code reform process, I am uniquely positioned with experience working within the confines of our current codes and policies from both the private and public side of the conversation. I have seen firsthand the impact preventable delays can have on residents trying to do good things in Missoula, as well as the impediments within current policy that frustrates efforts by the City Council to guide growth. We have a tremendous opportunity to create efficiencies, eliminate barriers to affordable housing, and stimulate equitable growth in Missoula and the surrounding region. Understanding the user experience from multiple perspectives will help guide this process. 

My wife Staci and I are co-owners of a local small business. We worked hard and spent our savings to invest in her family’s business and I see every day the effort she puts in to keep that foundation strong working side by side with her father. The effort and time spent to maintain a family-run business is remarkable, and the tough decisions small business owners make regularly are the difference in keeping the doors open and continuing to make payroll. The decisions we make as a city, and how we spend our residents hard-earned tax dollars impact everyone who pays into our antiquated property tax system and I understand that impact firsthand. 

I currently serve as the Vice President and Managing Broker of a statewide real estate company. As part of the executive team responsible for day-to-day operations of an organization with 17 offices in 15 markets across Montana, I work daily in risk management, troubleshoot issues as they arise, solve disputes between parties, field calls and occasional complaints from the public, and facilitate relationships among parties within and outside of the brokerage. Aside from basic day-to-day administration, the health and future of the company relies heavily on strong leadership and vision. With an industry that is constantly evolving, incurring more liability, and needing to adapt, it’s imperative that our brokers and agents are given every tool to be successful. I focus daily on utilizing people’s talents and am constantly fostering growth and improvement. Culture is everything, and it starts with strong leadership.

I will update this page as I think about things that may be relevant, however, to be honest, I get uncomfortable talking about myself because I do not volunteer my time on all of these endeavors for attention. I firmly believe we all have a responsibility to share and contribute in areas we may be able to offer experience or insight. In the meantime, if you have a question about my background or bio, just ask!