I was born in Monticello, Iowa on September 9, 1964.  In 1965 our family moved to Cedar Rapids where my father established his veterinary practice.  My grandparents all lived in Jones County. My paternal grandparents were farmers near Onslow and my maternal grandparents owned a jewelry store in Monticello where my grandfather was a jeweler and watchmaker..
     My older brother, two younger sisters and I all attended school in the Cedar Rapids Community School District and graduated from Kennedy High School.  It was there, as a member of the Kennedy Band,  that I met my wife to be, Cathy.
     Cathy and I were married on March 16, 1985. Our married life began in Iowa State University married student housing (Pammel Court). I graduated from Iowa State University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.  I went on to earn my Master of Business Administration degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University while serving in the Air Force.

   In 1987 I joined the Air Force. Upon completing Officer Training School, I was assigned to Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota. I served as a Minuteman missile operator and maintainer. My Air Force career culminated at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California where I was a training squadron operations officer. The squadron taught missile and spacelift maintenance, awarded college credit through the Community College of the Air Force and was fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. We graduated approximately 550 airmen annually. 

     While in the Air Force I earned the following awards and decorations:
     Medals Earned

• Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster

     Specific Achievements

• Best weapon system operations crew in Air Force - earned twice
• Air Force Space Command Maintenance Junior Officer Manager of the Year
• Minot Air Force Base Junior Officer of the Quarter
• Missile Wing Instructor/Evaluator of the Year

     After 10 years in the service, we determined it was time to return home to Iowa. I was hired as a 3rd shift production supervisor with Cryovac in Cedar Rapids. I remained in this position part-time until I completed my Juris Doctor Degree from The University of Iowa. I graduated in December of 2003, received my license to practice law in September of 2004 and am now employed as in-house counsel at CRST International, Inc. in Cedar Rapids.

Family  
Cathy and I have four children: Kassandra, Kylere, Kale and Keith.

My family's tradition in small business, my service in the United States Air Force, my private sector experiences and my education background have provided a diverse set of experiences on which to draw. This, along with my commitment to family, hard work, and Iowa values, has prepared me to serve you as your Iowa State House Representative.

On November 2, 2004, the voters of Iowa House District 35 elected me to my second term in the Iowa House of Representatives. I serve as chair of the Judiciary committee, and as a member on the Education committee, State Government committee, Veteran's Affairs committee, Ways and Means committee, and the Justice Systems budget sub-committee.

It is an honor to serve the people of Iowa and House District 35.