I grew up in Colorado North of Colorado Springs on 20 acres of forest in a log home that my parents built. I have a wonderful immediate family that includes 2 sisters, their husbands and children – and of course mom. Dad passed away several years ago. They are all still in Colorado and needless to say I travel their frequently to visit. In many ways it’s still home.

I moved to Portland about 20 years ago to train show horses. A well known Portland based National level trainer met me at show in the Denver area and asked if I would be willing to move to the Pacific NW to assist him and his wife with their training center. I agreed. My horse-training career was one that lasted a very successful 20 years. During those years I worked on and off in the commercial banking industry – culminating as a Vice-President managing the call center for Pacific One Bank, now Bank of the West. The stress of many mergers and acquisitions made a hobby a necessity. I had, however, turned my love of show horses into a business. Although enjoyed thoroughly, it had become work and no longer provided me with the escape that I needed. The owner of one of the horse facilities that I trained out of for a short time is a local dancer in the Portland area. Joanne Hofelt introduced me to the sport. I skated for a short time with her assistance and encouragement. Later that year I had a riding accident, which broke my left femur resulting in a couple of years of rehabilitation. I didn’t return to the ice for several years. Again the need for an extra curricular activity that would allow me to escape the stress of work became a necessity. …So I stepped back onto the ice. This time I sought professional instruction.

The horses have since been turned back into a hobby. I closed down my training center about 1995. My commercial banking career continued to change through the turmoil of mergers and acquisitions until I finally left banking and accepted a position with a young credit card management company to set up and manage their staff of help desk personal. About a year into this new career a well-known credit conglomerate acquired this young company. That’s corporate America… I was tired of it. I now sell residential real estate. I work harder than I have ever worked before, and love it. I work for myself and my time is my own. Well, at least I like to think so!

During the past 10 years, and though all of the changes that life has offered, my skating has been my place to unwind. Skating pushed me into the gym seven to eight years ago. I’m there five to six nights a week and healthier than I’ve been my whole life. Skating has introduced me to a whole group of friends nation wide that I would have otherwise never become acquainted with. Skating has demanded a level of dedication, perseverance, and hard work in a fun and enjoyable activity.

I have my coaches, Craig, Leone, Barb, Anthony, and Ryland, along with previous partners Ginger and Loren to thank for their support and gracious patience with my attitude. And as always my family, they’re what life’s all about. …Oh, and we better not forget Julia….