1. How long have you been involved with Douglas County School District? 3 years.

2. What motivated you to run for the Board of Trustees? With declining enrollment, truancy at a high rate and State testing scores in a decline and the need of more parental control of their children and my wife as a retired teacher, I hoped to help the district turn things around for the goal of students graduating, to be more successful in their lives.

3. What’s your favorite part about serving as a Trustee? Meeting and working with a great district staff and the best teachers and overall employees dedication to the success of students.

4. What is your favorite memory or experience with Douglas County schools?

Working with our outstanding new Superintendent and office staff.

5. Where did you grow up, and where did you go to school? I grew up in Western Michigan, lower Peninsula and spent all my years in Holton public schools in Muskegon County.

6. Who was your favorite teacher or mentor growing up, and why? Mr. Griener! He displayed and required honesty and integrity and self discipline from all his students. All his classes were electives and they were always full.

7. What is your vision for Douglas County School District? To return to being the educational lighthouse of the state and add professional trade school classes and opportunities as alternatives to college.

8. How do you stay connected with the schools in the district? Mostly with and through our Superintendent and his staff and listening to our teachers, principles and classified employees and students. The trustees job is to create policies and direction of our education system for our schools. We operate as a group of trustees, not to micromanage the schools but to work hand in hand with our Superintendent.

9. What are your favorite local spots in the community? Our church is our most favorite place to fellowship with wonderful loving people. Food is always a favorite, especially when eating with our friends.

10. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Travel and camping. My wife and I and our 4 legged children love to travel and meet new people.

11. What’s a hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about? I to encourage and help young people and build them up in who they are and what they can be. My wife says I have the gift to gab but i think every one knows that.

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Back to Canada and Alaska by means of cruise ship.

13. What’s something on your bucket list that you’re excited to accomplish? I have been to most every state in the union and i would like to complete seeing the rest.

14. If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be? Typing, in todays world it is becoming more important.

15. What’s your go-to karaoke song? None....you dont want to hear that, nobody does....lol.

16. What do you think makes Douglas County schools special? Our unique communities. We have an amazing blend of different backgrounds and that shows in our schools. The one thing and most importantly is our amazing employees.