I was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. My dad worked as a Nuclear Tech at the Idaho National laboratory, and my mom was a schoolteacher for 33 years. I have two younger sisters. I played sports throughout my childhood, while also spending lots of time hunting and fishing. I graduated from Pocatello High School in 1993, and promptly left for boot camp in the U.S. Navy.

I spent the majority of my four years in the Navy serving aboard the USS Chosin where I performed the duties associated with a Damage Controlman. During that time we deployed to the Persian Gulf on one six month Western Pacific Cruise. I served four years active duty and four years inactive duty. I was honorably discharged from active duty in the Navy on June 21, 1997.

After leaving the Navy I was hired as a wildland firefighter for the US Forest Service. In May of 1997, I started working at the Moose Creek Ranger district in central Idaho. I worked on the Moose Creek Ranger district for three seasons. After my third season I decided to apply to become a Smokejumper. I spent two seasons working as a Redmond Smokejumper fighting fire in several western states.

Starting in the spring semester of 2003 I began attending college at Lewis-Clark state college in Lewiston Idaho. I studied English literature, criminology, and journalism. In the summer of 2006 I transferred to the University of Montana to finish my degree in English literature. I graduated from UM in the spring of 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. It was also during this period of time that I was involved in grass root activism on and off campus.

In the spring of 2010 my partner and I started our first farm together in the Bitterroot valley. In August of 2013 we bought our property here in Missoula. We immediately set to work building and creating what is now Frank’s Little Farm. We were also preparing for our first child, which would arrive three months after our moving in. Frank’s Little Farm has been an incredible success and in particular our on-site farm stand has proven to be an unbelievable neighborhood fixture. Over the last nine seasons we have raised two children, and run a successful farm. I have also been on the board for the Missoula Farmers Market since 2014.

As our kids have gotten older I have begun to look for a way to get more directly involved in local politics. In 2020 I was interviewed and chosen to sit on the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board. This will be my third year on the board and I am currently the President.

My kids are now 6 and 9. Both are in public school here in Missoula, and they are both enrolled in programs through Parks and Recreation. We like to ski at Snowbowl on the weekends, as well as camping, hunting, and fishing at every opportunity.