| About Me- My ancestors pioneered and settled almost every corner of what is now Utah. They came here primarily to find safety and refuge from the persecution that forced them out of their homes. Eventually, my ancestors were driven to the colonies in Mexico, and then to Arizona, where my parents grew up. I was born in Provo, Utah, but raised in Lukachukai, Arizona, in the middle of the Navajo Reservation. I worked hard in the family business, Totso Trading Post, which consisted of a general store, gas station, and cafe. After serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santiago, Chile, I studied at BYU and graduated as an Electrical Engineer. I met the love of my life, Leslie, at BYU and have been married to her for nearly 40 years. We have three adult children and are now experiencing the joys of being grandparents. My professional career of working for non-profit electric cooperatives has taken me from Garkane Power in Kanab, Utah, to Midwest Electric in Roby, Texas, and finally to Dixie Power in St. George, Utah. I have also worked for nearly 30 years as an engineering consultant for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International Program in 30 developing countries all over the world. I'm a Lifetime Member of the NRA and a First Family member and Graduate of Front Sight. I love to travel with my family, do Family History (my 32 pioneer ancestor families settled 32 different communities in the State of Utah), and have run four (St George) Marathons. I've taken the Rick Green and David Barton Constitution Alive Course, and enjoy singing bass in a Barbershop Quartet.
Political Experience- I'm a life-long Republican; my first vote was for Ronald Reagan in 1980 when I was 19 years old, and I have never voted for anyone who wasn't a Republican. Other than voting, I didn't get involved in the political process until after the U.S. Congress passed the 2005 Energy Policy Act. Since then, I've served in many volunteer positions in the Republican Party, including County and State Delegate, Precinct Chair, District Chair for Legislative District 62 (now 73), and Vice-Chair of the Washington County Republican Party (WCRP.) I've also served several terms as a member of the Utah Republican Party (UTGOP) State Central Committee. Additionally, I've served on the UTGOP Convention Rules Committee, the WCRP Bylaws Committee, the UTGOP Caucus/Convention Committee, moderated the Q&A Session with Candace Owens at the Lincoln Day event in 2021, and ran the special elections for mid-term replacements for Washington County Clerk, Commissioner, and Sheriff. These positions have helped me understand the deliberative process, and how to work with other elected representatives. |