I went to high school in northeastern Montana and know a little bit about cold weather! You could almost throw a rock from my house into Canada.
If you think your town or school is small, I've got you beat. I graduated in 1989 with 12 students (3 of which were exchange students and 1 was my twin brother) and our high school had 28 students enrolled! Go Bluejays! Needless to say, the school is now closed but we had a heck of a band program and basketball team along with some great academic programs.
I went to college in Billings, MT at what was then called Eastern Montana College (EMC). It's name has since been changed to Montana State University - Billings (MSU-B)...home of the Yellowjackets! I graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Information Systems option and a minor in Computer Science (BSBA in Information Systems for short). After working in a bank in Billings for 2 years I decided to go into the construction business and design roof & floor systems. After almost 2 years I was transferred down to Colorado where I worked for 11 years as the lead roof & floor truss designer.
I started working here at GCHS in October of 2010 in the Library. In September of 2012 I moved down to the Main Office to become the Office Manager. I enjoy the staff and the challenges the job gives me each day.
For my "play time", I play trombone in many different groups in the Fort Collins area. Through my musical career I have been involved with a variety of musical groups:
- Archie Funker (a Fort Collins funk band - we actually played for Greeley Central's Homecoming in 209 & 2010)
- Greeley Chamber Orchestra
- Foothills Pops Band
- Foothills Brass Quintet of Colorado
- Colorado Swing Big Band
- Don Elwood Big Band
- Steve Johnson Group
- Stampede Troupe - Pit Orchestra
- Midtown Arts Center - Pit Orchestra
- Buddy Holly
- In The Heights
- Loveland Opera Theatre - Pit Orchestra
- GCHS Arts Magnet Musicals - Pit Orchestra
- Larimer Choral
- SEAS Orchestra
- Billings Community Band
As I eluded above, I am a twin. I was born 10 minutes ahead of by brother, Patrick. He was the valedictorian & I was the salutatorian at our high school. He went into Business & then into Law Enforcement & Arts. He was elected as Sheriff of Sheridan County in Plentywood, MT in November of 2010 and was re-elected in November of 2014. He served until his death in July of 2015. He passed away after a 10-month battle with stage 4 brain cancer.
We were very similar and I miss him every day. I wish everyone was able to meet and know him. His stories were great and captivating, hooking you in with "examples", "re-enactments", and just plain funny conversations.
