During a fishing excursion in the boonies of Alaska, I crashed a dirt bike over a steep embankment. The broken ribs, torn diaphragm, and bruised kidney and lung almost cost me my life. It was a wakeup call most people never want to answer. But the phone kept ringing. And when I answered, my purpose in life changed.

I reversed my priorities and decided to redirect my heart, passion, and all my business experience to help feed hungry children. The result has been the creation of Aspen Research, and the Blaine County Hunger Coalition.

I believe we as a nation have a responsibility to help those in need, especially hungry children. They are the most helpless population, but the most hopeful. I believe that providing basic food security to children lays the cornerstone on which children in need can avoid the consequences undernutrition can have on their behavior and scholastic performance as kids, and economic security as adults.

If our country wants a vibrant economy and our communities want to remain connected, I believe we must support networks and agencies that acquire and distribute food to children in need. I also believe we should support agencies that help families move from dependency to self-sufficiency. I hope you'll join me in an effort to support these charities.

Education
University of Wisconsin–Madison: Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, with an emphasis in business, food science, and nutrition. Graduated as one of the few students in the history of the University to receive a four-year degree in less than two years. Graduated with honors. Winner of the Consumer Science department's Outstanding Student Achievement Award for journalism. Nominated for Returning Adult Student of the Year award. Returning grade point average: 3.90.

Independent Study:
University of California–San Diego: Computer Science and Management Science.
Harvard University: Business and Economics.

Lifestyle

Residence:	Sun Valley, Idaho.
Hometown:	Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Hobbies:	Cooking, baking, traveling to remote mountain ranges, reading, puzzles, backgammon, cribbage, and Blues harmonica.
Sports:	Rock Climbing, hiking, mountain biking, trail running, tennis, fly-fishing, hiking, camping, windsurfing, golfing, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Author:	Lite'n Up! and Bread of Life.

Volunteer work:

• Founder and honorary board member, Blaine County Hunger Coalition.
• Volunteer at soup kitchens and food banks wherever I travel.
• Church related volunteer work.
• Public speaking at high schools and universities about the experience of being a stock options trader on the floor of a major stock exchange.
• Public speaking at vocational colleges to returning adult students about strategies for overcoming fears and achieving success.
• Teaching community classes on healthy living and cooking.