Why are you running for office?

I graduated from ZM and I feel a deep sense of responsibility to do my part to make sure that it's the best that it can be.

What experiences have prepared you to serve effectively in this role?

As a business owner, I've gained experience managing many different aspects of running an organization, including budgeting, planning, insurance, and making tough decisions. I am always trying to think ahead and consider how decisions made today will affect us years down the road. I also like to look at issues from different angles and ask questions to make sure we fully understand a situation before moving forward. I believe that thoughtful planning and open discussion lead to better decisions.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

My top priorities are maintaining the financial integrity of the district, supporting strong academics, and promoting transparency with families and tax payers.

I believe we need to be responsible with the resources we have and plan ahead so students and staff aren't negatively impacted by avoidable budget issues. I'm also committed to supporting our teachers and ensuring they have what they need to focus on helping students succeed academically. Finally, as a parent, I believe clear communication is essential. Families should be informed about the decisions within the school that their children and they should feel like valued partners in their children's education. I have spent my first term striving towards removing barriers so that the members of our community have the opportunity to share their perspective and be involved.

How do plan to address your top priorities?

Achieving these goals starts with being a well-informed board member who does due diligence and asks hard questions. I have learned in this role that 'you don't know what you don't know,' and the only way to find out is to ask.

We also need to strengthen our fund balance. Right now, we only have enough reserves to cover about one month's worth of operating expenses. We must think long-term and prepare for the unexpected.

For the last four years, I have worked to ensure our policies prioritize the educational partnership between our families and the school. Meeting this goal has been made much easier thanks to our incredible superintendent, who actively communicates and shares information with community members and parents.

By focusing on financial responsibility, academic excellence, and transparent communication, I believe we can build a stronger school district that serves students, supports teachers, and earns the trust of our entire community.

What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the people you hope to represent?

Over the past few years, we've seen just how important local elections truly are. During COVID, many community members simply wanted their voices heard. More recently, we've watched the Pine Island City Council move forward with a data center project despite significant public concern and opposition.

These experiences remind us why local representation matters. We need elected officials who are willing to listen, engage with residents, and serve as a sounding board for the people they represent. Being a School Board member isn't just about making decisions, it's about understanding the priorities and concerns of the community and ensuring those voices are part of the process.

No one saw the data center issue coming a few years ago, and none of us can predict exactly what challenges or opportunities our school district may face over the next four years. What we can do is elect leaders who are committed to listening, asking questions, and making informed decisions that reflect the values and needs of the community they serve.

At the local level, trust, transparency, and communication matter. That is my commitment if reelected to serve on the ZM school board.

Public service requires collaboration. How would you work with individuals who hold different viewpoints?

I welcome different viewpoints and believe some of the best ideas come from people who see things differently than I do. I enjoy hearing different perspectives and working through issues together to find the best solution. At the same time, I'm an independent thinker. I don't believe something is automatically the right choice simply because it's what every other district is doing. I believe in listening, asking questions, considering all sides, and making decisions based on what's best for our students, families, and community.

How will you communicate with and remain accessible to your constituents?

I have always welcomed calls, text or a knock on my door from anyone who has concerns or questions. My phone number is on the side of my truck as I drive from job site to job site but I'll put it here now for anyone who would like to get a hold of me! 507-251-0807

At the end of your term, what accomplishments would define success?

I would consider my term successful if I could look back and know that I consistently made well-informed decisions after listening, asking questions, and considering different perspectives. I would also want to know that I helped build trust within the community by being open, accessible, and willing to listen to the concerns and ideas of district residents. If people feel heard and the decisions being made are thoughtful and in the best interest of students, I would consider that a success.

Tell voters something about yourself outside of politics.

My wife and I enjoy volunteering at many of the ZM K-6 PTO events that our amazing PTO puts together. One of my favorite events they have is the free family movie every month, my kids and I enjoy getting our candy and popcorn, watching the movie at our historic theater, and then helping clean up afterward. It's been a great way to get to know ZM staff in a more relaxed setting while helping strengthen the connection between our school and community.

Outside of town, I raise steers on the farm where I grew up. It's a blessing to continue caring for that piece of family history, and I hope that one day I'll be able to pass it on to my kids, if the Lord is willing.

This summer, we've also been busy teaching our kids how to play pickleball. It's been a lot of fun spending time together as a family and watching them learn something new!