For the past 4–5 years, I’ve had the honor of serving Trinity County in many ways: as an EMT with the Trinity Center Volunteer Fire Department; as a swiftwater swimmer and ground-pounder with Trinity County Search and Rescue under the Sheriff’s Office; as President of the Trinity Center Elementary School Board; and as President of the Mountain Aire Mutual Water Board. I’ve also volunteered where help was needed elsewhere in the county.

Today, I work full-time at Ascend Wilderness Experience, a local nonprofit based in Weaverville, where I serve as a wilderness guide, trail worker, and PR administrator. Ascend focuses on youth and teen outreach, as well as wilderness-based programs, often in partnership with local national forests and other local non-profits, including Trinity Together, Bigfoot Trail Alliance, the Watershed, RCD, and numerous others. That work keeps me grounded in stewardship, access, and investing in the next generation, which is very important to the community and me.

My story starts far from here. I was born in 1980 in southwest Washington near Mt. St. Helens to a logger and his wife. I left home at 16 and have largely been on my own ever since. I lived in Portland in my early twenties, then spent over 15 years in Bangkok, Thailand, working for international schools and later for a turnkey construction company building pharmaceutical facilities. In 2018, my family and I returned to the U.S., lived briefly in Hydesville and Lewiston, and ultimately put down roots in Long Canyon in North Trinity County.

My wife and I have been married for 16 years. She works locally at the Yellow Jacket Café in Trinity Center. Together, we are raising three incredible children. Our oldest, Kim, serves in the U.S. Navy, working with helicopters on aircraft carriers. Our middle child, Sensi, attends Trinity High School and plays football. Our youngest, Maya Jasmine, attends Weaverville Elementary and participates in volleyball and cheerleading. All three of our kids were born in Bangkok, but Trinity County is home.

I’m an avid backcountry skier and world traveler, with an obsession for hiking and backpacking. These hobbies keep me in shape and full of positive energy.