I was born and raised in Olympia Washington, home of the world famous Olympia Beer, Capital of Washington and home to Evergreen State University.  I grew up between Lacey, Tumwater, and Olympia in a mildly rural area.  I am heavily influenced by the Boy Scouts of America, and the life long friendships that it has given me.  I have traveled the world a bit, enough to have a more global perspective.  I have spent nearly eight years in college, and worked numerous jobs.  Not one employer has complained about work ethic.  That I get from my parents.  They taught me from a young age that honesty and hard work always pays off, even when it feels like it doesn't.

         That is what I have built my entire life around.  It is the culture I grew up in.  I remember one of my mentors telling me "I like you no matter what everyone else is saying about you", and there is a bit of wisdom in that.  It is too easy to lose yourself in the opinions and critiques of others, as it is easy to be misrepresented. 

         Your roots are your permanent truth.  Mine are here in the Pacific Northwest, in games, high adventure, and academics.  I have spent many years working on myself and preparing for this phase of my life.