I grew up on a farm just south of Milnor,  North Dakota. After Graduating form Milnor High School in 1978 I attended NDSU Bottineau and received an associates degree in Wildlife Management. From Bottineau I transferred to NDSU Fargo, and received a bachelors of science in Zoology and wildlife management. After graduating in 1983 I went to work for Asche Trucking as a driver. In 1984 I worked for Cenex in Milnor as a petroleum salesman. From there in 1986 I went out on my own and purchased my own truck and hauled gravel in Minneapolis and in Phoenix Az. After two years I returned to NDSU and received a second bachelors degree in Biology education. After graduation I accepted a teaching position in Rialto CA. there I taught Biology, and Lab Biology for ten years, until moving to Minnesota in 1999 accepting a teaching position here at Dawson Boyd Schools. While teaching here at Dawson Boyd, I completed a Masters in Science degree through Bemidji State University in 2012.  In 1995, while living in California I married Lauri Madsen of Huran SD. We have a daughter Jenna and live near Montevideo MN. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and canoeing.  We have a do,  Louie. It is great to be in Minnesota.