A small town boy moves to Colorado...
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Building Relationships and an Attitude of Service
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Adaptability, Flexibility and a Learning Mindset
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Hard Work and Perseverance
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Small Town - John Mellencamp
"I cannot forget from where it is that I come from,​
I cannot forget the people who love me."
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Building Relationships and an Attitude of Service
I was born in 1980 in Hazen, North Dakota. People often talk of small town values. Regardless of where you were born or where you live, I think it is essential to have a sense of community and being a part of the place in which you live. Growing up in a small town I learned the benefit of building close ties with the people in your community and the importance of humility and serving others.
On the Road Again - Willie Nelson
"On the road again,​
Goin' places that I've never been,​
Seein' things that I may never see again,​
And I can't wait to get on the road again."​
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Adaptability, Flexibility and a Learning Mindset
At the age of 8, my family moved to Lakewood, Colorado. This was a big change but a positive one, thanks to leadership of my parents and encouragement of my family. I learned the importance of adapting to new surroundings and being flexible in unfamiliar situations. Above all, without knowing it at the time, I developed a learning mindset and I set out on the path to being a lifelong learner.
Tight Ship - Stephen Marley
"We're sailing a tight ship ashore,​
Get a broom, sweep the place,​
Oh clear a space."​
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Hard Work and Perseverance
A small town family runs a tight ship. I learned the importance of hard work from my father. He grew up on a farm and passed on to me the value of a hard day's work. From my mother, I learned perseverance. She would never let me quit anything. If I tried out for a sport, I had to see the season through. If I decided I didn't want to do it next year that was fine, but there was no quitting anything half way through.