I started out thinking I might change the world through politics. A political science major at the University of Colorado, I plunged headfirst into campaigns, strategy, and the occasional late-night debates that solved little but felt important at the time. That path eventually led me to work as a political consultant, and, in a twist that still surprises me, to run for and win a seat in the Colorado State Senate.

It was meaningful work, but like many good stories, mine took an unexpected turn.

After exploring a few different directions, I found my true calling in the employment industry... less glamorous, perhaps, but far more personal. Over the course of nearly three decades, I had the privilege of helping thousands of people find jobs, rebuild confidence, and take their next steps forward. It turns out changing lives doesn’t always happen from a podium; sometimes it happens across a desk.

These days, I’m officially retired, which mostly means I’ve traded one set of responsibilities for another. I occasionally appear in local theatre productions, where I’ve learned that applause is every bit as satisfying as election night returns. I’ve also written two novels (currently awaiting publication) and am at work on a third, because apparently I’m not very good at slowing down.

My wife Lisa and I live in the Indianapolis area with a dog who runs the house and a cat who allows us to live there. Between frequent visits with my daughters, Lisa’s grown children, and an assortment of grandchildren, life is full, noisy, and exactly as it should be.