I grew up in southern California with loving, supportive parents and an occasionally annoying sister. In school, I played baritone and joined the high school marching band (where I met the woman who would become my wife, but neither of us could have guessed it then! ). On weekends, I explored the outdoors with my Boy Scout troop, backpacking, canoeing down the Colorado River, or doing a wide variety of community service projects. Along with a group of friends who I am still close with today, I earned my Eagle Scout Award.

I loved nature, I loved science, and I wanted to have a positive impact on the world, so I went to California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo and majored in environmental engineering. But between classes and rounds of frisbee golf, I looked outside the classroom for ways to apply my knowledge to engage with both my campus community and the world . In 20##, I joined the campus chapter of the nonprofit Engineers Without Borders. With EWB, I was able to travel to different countries to apply my knowledge and to learn from diverse and resilient communities. Shortly after graduating, I lived in Cameroon to support water and sanitation work of a small nonprofit.

After working for a few years as an engineer, I decided to go back to school. I hopped on a plane to Scotland and went to the University of Edinburgh where I earned a Master’s in Science, Technology, and International Development. I wanted to figure out the best ways to apply my engineering knowledge to the communities that needed the most help around the world. Along the way, I had reconnected with Heather, a friend from my high school band, and for some reason, she seemed to like me. While I was writing on appropriate technologies for wastewater treatment systems in Benin, I was secretly planning our getaway to the highlands of Scotland to get engaged.

I came back to San Diego, and Heather and I got married in a beautiful water conservation garden just north of the city. I worked conducting environmental investigations for both private and government clients. Then, in 2015, Heather and I joyfully welcomed our daughter Kayleigh into the world. I had the privilege to take many months off to stare into her eyes, clean bottles, and change diapers while living in a tiny, granny-flat apartment. I am the luckiest husband to have a wife that can pick up her speech therapy career and take an adventure to a place where we’ve never lived. So when Kayleigh was 4 months old, we moved to Vermont, where I worked for an international development consulting firm. I conducted scoping and planning for water, infrastructure, governance, and environmental projects in Nigeria, Palestine, and many other wonderful places across the world.

In 2018, I had an amazing opportunity to lead and build a program with the American Water Works Association. So, once again, my family packed up, sold our home, and moved across the country to land in Littleton. My program, the Community Engineering Corps, is centered around working with a network of student and professional volunteers to provide engineering consulting services to small, rural, and underserved communities and nonprofits across the country. In my job, I get to collaborate and partner with town mayors, managers, operators, public works agencies, community development organizations, and diverse nonprofits to solve their community’s most challenging issues.

My family and I have been surrounded by nothing but love and support in the Highline Crossing Cohousing Community. Kayleigh is in 1st grade in our fantastic LPS system at Centennial Academy of the Arts. She likes taekwondo, fairies, and using me as a climbing gym. Heather works as a speech language pathologist for LPS. I continue to work for the American Water Works Association. In 2020, we adopted a puppy that Kayleigh named Phoenix. I take him on long walks on the Highline Canal Trail and spend most of my time trying to stop him from eating things and saying hello to every person we pass. I also volunteer with Highline Canal Conservancy, the Next Generation Advisory Committee with the City of Littleton, and the South Metro Land Conservancy.