1) Why did you choose this job?

“I’d like to think that they [the district] choose me. First of all, the Blue Valley school district is an amazing place for student learning, and I really believe it is one of the best places I the world. It is one of those school districts that a lot of people in the education system would like to be in, and I’m fortunate enough to be a part of that now.”

2) What did you do before taking this job?

“I was an administrative lesion at Olathe Northwest High School. [I] mostly worked in the realm of college and career readiness for all students. Prior to that, I was a teacher and a coach. I was the head football coach at Olathe Northwest High School for 10 years and was the Head football coach at Shawnee Mission East High School for 3 years. I was the head track coach at Olathe Northwest, the head track at Shawnee Mission West. My first job was at Washburn Rural High school in Topeka Kansas. As a teacher I taught senior college prep English and Junior AP English. I did those things for 20 years and loved every part of it.”

3) Where did you go to college?

“Emporia State University. Stingers up!”

4) Can you tell me about yourself growing up?

“I went to Emporia State on a track and field scholarship and had a great time. Unusual about me- I grew up in a small town called Silver Lake Kansas. I am the youngest of 28 cousins-I came from a big farming family- and out of 28 cousins I am the only one with a college degree. It was an enriching and wholesome culture that I grew up in, but breaking the mold of that culture was difficult. I had some wonderful teachers and coaches when I was in high school that inspired me to do more, break that mold. I always wanted to give back the way those teachers and coaches contributed to my success.”

5) Do you have any hobbies?

“I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies outside of work. I do try to work out. If I don’t I get grumpy. I also enjoy being a dad.”

6) What’s the best thing about Blue Valley Southwest?

“The staff is outstanding and I’ve already seen some amazing things and made some amazing friendships here. But the thing that is probably made the biggest impression on me is the students and the character of the students. From the first student I’ve met to every one I meet here today, they all go out of their way to say hello and thank you and open doors for me. They have a level of selflessness that is rare to see in adolescents and that has made an impression on me. “

7) Can you tell me a little about your family?

“My wife, Jessica, is the assistant superintendent in the Mill Valley school District. My oldest daughter, Andie, is 15 and she’s a sophomore at Olathe Northwest High School. She’s on the dance team and in yearbook. My second daughter, her name is Ashton, she is twelve and is a second grader at prairie trail Middle School. She is involved in soccer and basketball and cross-country and track. She ran a t the AU national championship track meet this summer at Drake University. My son, Brock, is ten and is a fifth grader at Meadow Lane Elementary. Brock is a wonderful kid that loves animals and he is involved in swimming.”

8) What did you do this summer?

“This summer we took our family to Yellowstone. Fun for the kids, a lot of driving for dad. We went to Yellowstone and up through Mt. Rushmore. We went to a rodeo, the national championship rodeo, in Cody, Wyoming, and that was my favorite part.”

9) What’s your favorite food?

“Hands down, barbeque.”

10) What do you want students to know about you?

“I want students to know I have a true passion for their success. When students succeed, and more importantly, when students exceed their own expectations, to me, that is what makes it all worthwhile. As an old coach, I give off a persona that I’m rather blunt, but that is because I want what’s best for them. I want them to live with that kind of passion and learn with that kind of passion. “