Interests

Family

While it may seem peculiar to include family as an interest, spending time with my family has always been an enjoyment for me. I have two siblings: an older brother who has a wife, daughter, and son; and an older sister. My parents and my siblings all still reside in my childhood home, located in central Iowa.

Even though I am located halfway across the country, Jayme and I always find time during the year to get together with them. I am grateful for all of the family holidays and vacations that I have had the opportunity to experience over the years.

You can read more about my family on my Family page.

Music

For as long as I can remember, I have been involved in music. I began playing piano in the second grade and took lessons through high school. I even had the pleasure of teaching music theory to young students for my piano instructor; however, piano was only the beginning for me and led to my true music passion.

In high school I became heavily involved in choral activities. My main focus was on solo performances and competing in solo contests across the Midwest. I have been selected to perform solos for the Iowa State University men's choir and have had the extreme honor of singing at both my brother's and my sister's weddings. Once graduating from Iowa State University, I could tell how much I missed music, so I bought myself a piano and play it every night after work.

Golf

Growing up on a golf course, I was destined to learn how to play the game. Starting at the age of ten, my father and I would go out to the course and hit a few balls. I practiced occasionally through my younger teen years, but once high school came, there wasn't a day I would not be seen on the course. I would golf with a group of friends, sometimes teeing off early in the morning and not leaving until sundown.

My undergraduate studies caused a decline in my golf game, but now that I've settled in Seattle, I have joined Medina's Overlake Golf & Country Club. I now have the opportunity to spend my free afternoons and weekends practicing and getting in lots of rounds...weather permitting, of course. With my increased golfing practice, perhaps I'll be able to beat my old man soon.

Wine

I've always enjoyed wine. Being a pretend gourmet chef as well, I've appreciated how wine can enhance -- and sometimes even make -- a meal. But, I never really focused on the subtleties each vintage, grape, and glass yielded until I started dating my wife Jayme. Together we explored the wonderful wine producing regions of Washington and I was immediately amazed on how much impact different soils and microclimates have on a wine.

Since our first outing together, Jayme and I have amassed quite a collection of our favorite wines and started a cellar, tracking each and every bottle that is purchased...and consumed.

Take a look at our cellar and let me know if you'd like to share a pour with us!

Kappa Sigma Fraternity

At Iowa State, when I wasn't engrossed in school work, I was working on something for the Gamma-Lambda chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. I was elected to several executive positions, including Vice President. The friends I made at Kappa Sigma and the Greek Community will last a lifetime. I know that if I ever run into hardships, I can count on the friends and brothers I made. I am also privileged to call my father and brother, Kappa Sigma brothers.

Along with friendships, the fraternity offered me several social opportunities. While actively participating in University Homecoming and Greek Week activities allowed for great enjoyment, the abundant philanthropic events will be unforgettable. Playing Mud Volleyball to fight breast cancer, walking the Des Moines skywalks "to find a cure" for juvenile diabetes, or building a house for Habitat for Humanity are experiences that I'll never forget.