1. My Leap of Faith 

In the summer of 2018, I found myself at a crossroads. I was looking for work, trying to figure out not just where my next paycheck would come from, but where I wanted to build my life. That June, an opportunity opened up in Pocatello. I didn’t know the city, I didn’t know the people—but something in me said, take the leap.

So in July of 2018, I packed my things, left the familiar behind, and moved to Pocatello. It was a leap of faith, and it wasn’t easy. Starting over in a new place always comes with challenges—new streets to navigate, new relationships to build, new risks to take. But Pocatello embraced me. Over time, it stopped being just the place I moved to, and it became home.

Since then, I’ve planted roots here. I bought my first home right here in Pocatello. I built businesses—including Dude’s Public Market on Main Street—and I found my community. This city gave me opportunity, but more than that, it gave me belonging.

Now, I feel a deep responsibility to give back. I’m running for City Council because I believe our community deserves leaders who will listen, who will make smart, responsible fiscal decisions, and who will focus on long-term economic growth. Just as I took a leap of faith to invest in Pocatello, I want to make sure Pocatello invests in its people, its businesses, and its future.

A young man smiling on skis in a snowy mountain landscape with trees and snow-covered peaks under a blue sky.
Two men smiling at the camera inside a wooden building under construction, with wooden beams and a concrete wall in the background.
Two men smiling, one presenting a plaque to the other at an outdoor event under a pavilion. The man on the right holds the plaque, which reads 'Rotary Rotarian of the Year'. Background shows a green field and trees.
A young man taking a selfie with an elderly woman sitting in a chair in a cozy kitchen.
Four people and a dog posing in a restaurant with a large wall sign that says 'Dudes' and plants on a table. Three men and one woman, one woman holding a small dog, standing next to each other.
Two people, a woman and a man, standing inside a restaurant beside a red wall with a sign that says 'MELTED MAGIC' and a digital menu above them. The woman is smiling and wearing a patterned blouse and black pants, while the man is pointing up towards the menu, smiling, and dressed casually in a jacket, blue jeans, and hiking boots.

2. Bend, don’t break. 

A young man standing in front of a large blue and white logo for Glean Coffee Roasters painted on a brick wall. The logo features a stylized plant with leaves and a red star-like flower at the top. There is a wooden shelf below the logo holding coffee bags, mugs, and a plant. String lights hang above.

When I set out to build Dude’s Public Market in downtown Pocatello, I had little more than an idea and determination. I had a vision of a place where local entrepreneurs could thrive together, a shared space that could spark new growth for our community. But the reality of bringing that vision to life was far tougher than I ever imagined.

There were months of construction delays, supply shortages, and unexpected costs. At one point, a 17-month delay in critical electrical equipment nearly bankrupted me. I had to take on odd jobs just to keep things afloat. There were nights when I wondered if I had made the wrong decision, if this dream would ever become real.

But I refused to quit. I believed Pocatello deserved this space, and I believed in the entrepreneurs who were counting on it. So I kept pushing. I found the money. I kept the doors open. I dug deeper than I thought possible.

Today, Dude’s Public Market is thriving. It’s a place where new businesses take root, where neighbors gather, and where the community can see what’s possible when someone refuses to give up.

That journey taught me a powerful lesson: resilience is what turns vision into reality. And that’s exactly what I will bring to City Council. Pocatello faces real challenges—rising costs, stagnant wages, and a need for clear, strategic economic growth. But just as I refused to give up on Dude’s Public Market, I will not give up on Pocatello. I will work tirelessly to ensure our city makes responsible choices that create opportunity for all of us.

3. My Idea of Civic Responsibility

A man smiling and holding a baby in a living room with artwork on the wall and a window with gray curtains.
A young man in a blue shirt, black shorts, and a helmet sitting on a log in a forest with a mountain bike and a backpack nearby.
Two men standing in front of a glass storefront, smiling, with signs advertising coming soon and kitchen space for rent.

When I think about why I’m running for City Council, I think about my grandfather. He was a Navy veteran, a survivor of Pearl Harbor, and someone who devoted his life to service. Growing up, I always admired that example—the idea that we each have a responsibility to contribute to something larger than ourselves.

When I moved to Pocatello in 2018, I came here to work and to build a life. Over time, I did more than that—I built businesses, bought my first home, and became part of this community. I’ve seen firsthand how hard the people of Pocatello work, how much they care about their neighbors, and how much they believe in the future of this city.

But I’ve also seen the challenges. Too often, local businesses and entrepreneurs face uphill battles while City Hall chases flashy projects or short-term wins. I know what it’s like to fight through bureaucracy, to struggle against the odds, and to keep going anyway. And I know Pocatello deserves better.

That’s why I’m running. It isn’t enough for me to just grow my own business—I feel called to step up and serve. I want to ensure that our City Council represents not just big projects, but the voices of local business owners, families, and residents who are the backbone of Pocatello.

I believe we need to make responsible fiscal decisions that focus on long-term strategic growth. We need to create an economy where people can afford to live here, raise their families here, and thrive here. For me, this isn’t just politics—it’s civic responsibility. It’s about honoring the values my grandfather lived by and the city that gave me a home.