I was born the youngest of 7 children on a small farm in St. Charles County.   With that many mouths to feed, money was always tight.  But my parents managed to provide for us.  One thing they were able to give us was a strong desire to become educated.  I think that’s because they didn’t have the opportunity to do it themselves.  My father was the first in his family to graduate from high school; my mom had to quit school after the sixth grade to go to work and provide money for her family.  I know my parents would be proud that 5 of their children have Master’s degrees.  Mine is in Business Administration.  

My wife Christine and I have been married for almost 30 years.  We both know the pain that comes from losing a child.  Today, we have 2 adult daughters, 2 grandchildren, and 2 dogs.

As a business professional, I spent 27 years in the telecommunications industry with the company now known as Verizon Communications. My last role with Verizon was working with communities across the Midwest, developing and implementing job retention and attraction strategies. Since 2001, I’ve successfully managed facilities for several Fortune 500 companies and clients.  

Christine and I were also successful small business owners. In 1999, our business, Naturally Pure, was named Start-up Business of the Year by the Webster Groves – Shrewsbury Chamber of Commerce. I’ve also served as Chairman of the St. Clare Health Center Community Advisory Board, and was named to the St. Louis Business Journal list of St. Louis Influentials in 2006.

For 12 years I was proud to serve Fenton as Mayor.  And since 2023, I’ve represented the 3rd District on the St. Louis County Council.