I grew up in Ames, Iowa where my parents, Jerry & Doreen, and siblings Jeff and Danielle and I were active in the First United Methodist church.  In 1995 I moved to Roland, and in 1996 I was hired as the Police Chief for the  City of Roland.  In 1998 I started with the Story City Police Department, where I continue to serve as Sergeant on the day shift. During my service to the church, I will continue to work as an Officer for the Story City Police Department until my retirement in eight years. 

I am married to Melissa who works for Story County Emergency Management as the Deputy Coordinator.  My daughter Kylie works for Pet Smart where she is training to become a groomer.  My son Mychal will be starting high school in the fall. We live in Roland with our three cats. When I have free time, I spend time with my family or enjoy the outdoors with metal detecting or bottle digging.  I also volunteer one day a week at Camp Mitigwa Scout Camp as an ORF which is a group of retired men does repairs and construction around the camp.

I have been attending Grace UMC in Story City for the last seven years.  While at Grace I served as the Lay Leader, Co-Chair of the SPRC, Sunday School Teacher for Junior and Senior High, Certifed Lay Servant, secretary for Grace's UMM, and as part of the Congregational Transition Team.  Also, I served on the Iowa Annual Conference Board of Layity where I was the Coordinator of the Scouting and Youth Serving Ministries. 
In the coming weeks, I will set up listening times at both churches. This will be a time, for those who would like, to ask questions so we can get to know each other better and so I can learn more about the needs of the church. During the year I also plan to set up office times at both churches so I am available to those who would like to meet outside of Sunday services. 

At this time in your church's life, there will be change, transition, and adjustment. A significant change and transition is Pastor Margaret retiring and I becoming your new Pastor. Another transition will be the time we spend learning and planning together for what the church will be in the future. I look forward to learning your churches traditions and how we can incorporate new ideas to continue to build the church well into the future. All of this will be a team effort and will take time. 

I was once told change is like being in a room with no windows.  When the light is turned off there is a change that took place, the room is now dark.  The time it takes your eyes to adjust is the transition.  This takes some time before your eyes are able to see in this new situation. 

I look forward to the time we will be having together.  I cannot wait to meet all of you and to get to know you and your family.