The “AH HA!” moment; the point when a person suddenly understands something that seemed impossible to understand just moments before. Whether that is:

• bringing a team of folks together to create an incredible hospitality experience,
• how a certain computer program works to save time,
• a particular insight into how to make my community a better place to live or
• walking around a bend on a forest trail to see a beautiful vista.
These are the moments that fill me with joy. Getting to these places involves effort; in fact the effort is many times what makes the moment that much sweeter.

Early in my career I developed a passion for ongoing learning and that drives my interest in teaching. Benjamin Whichcote noted that, “There is no better way to learn than to teach.” The wonderful thing about learning by teaching is path of discovery that takes place on the way to presenting a new topic: the “Ah Ha!” moments that I encounter that I can then share with my audiences.

That sense of discovering a better way to do things expands into my commitment to community. Not satisfied to just complain about how the world is I continually seek ways that I can improve my community. From service on several boards of directors to volunteering for the city budget committee, I am excited for the opportunity to share my talents with my community.

My History

I grew up and went to college in Tucson, Arizona. I graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Marketing. After graduation, I wanted to see the country and headed north, out of the heat, to Reno, Nevada. I started my career as a front desk clerk the Eldorado Hotel in Reno and within a few years was offered a hotel manager position at the Tahoe Biltmore in Crystal Bay, Nevada. While in Nevada I obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nevada, Reno. At the Biltmore I put my marketing expertise to work as Marketing Coordinator (while still running the hotel department).
The hotel industry has offered me the opportunity to work in many beautiful locations. From Sequoia National Park in California to Denali National Park and other parts of Alaska to Bar Harbor Maine and Acadia National Park.

Settling in Oregon

In 2003 I moved to Southern Oregon’s Illinois Valley to manage the Chateau at the Oregon Caves. Since moving to Oregon, I have fallen in love with the area and with a beautiful woman, the love of my life with whom I am married. As you can imagine, I love nature and wild places and I have found an abundance here.

After years of promoting hotels, casinos and resorts, I updated my skills in Digital Graphic Design and I am offering my talents to many of the growing businesses in Southern Oregon.

While working at the Illinois Valley News I gained working knowledge of printing and advertising as well as web development–upgrading the look of the paper, web site as well as their popular Valley Visitor travel guide. During this period I began teaching computer science classes at Rogue Community College.

In the summer of 2009, the call of the wild once again struck me and I embarked on an adventure in Mt. Rainier National Park where I was General Manager of the Paradise Inn. I have returned to my beautiful home in Grants Pass, Oregon and am pursuing my career.

I spent three years developing my training and graphic design skills as a Product Information Management System Specialist at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. During this time I developed several training programs for complex database programs that designers worked with.

Finding–and pursuing–my purpose

In 2013 I took the leap into full-time training and consulting doing work for several clients including Fred Pryor Seminars. The training industry has helped me develop my public speaking skills and has provided the opportunity to travel travel all over North America.

Through much soul searching I have come to the realization that my passion is in the hospitality industry. I am now using all my business skills to realize the dream of owning a successful hotel and in 2015 my wife and I purchased the Balch Hotel in Dufur Oregon.

As I have built an experienced team of talented individuals I have had the opportunity to give back to my community by assisting other small businesses through the Small Business Development Center as well as serving on several boards and on the City Council in Dufur.