I grew up my first 17 years in West Africa, watching my parents develop education programs, launch new schools, and assist small business leaders and NGO's in starting new.  It was normal for me to not have many material things, and to have friends and colleagues filled with love for life and joyful relationships.  Those years were a great gift, and I am thankful for their influence.  Life on two continents, and multiple cultures means I have an innate honor for each person.  I can get along with anyone from any background!  As a result of those years, a core value of mine is joy in relationships, and a mentality that sees problems as sparks to fuel my fire.

When talking about me, people use words like:  coach, friend, proactive, wise, singer-songwriter, team-builder, playful, strategic, encourager, third-culture-kid (TCK), resilient, and fly-fisherman.

Since then, I've gained a BA in education, guided on the Salmon River in Idaho, launched youth development programs, cared for 52 abused and neglected children over a period of two years as a partner with my wife, gained a Masters degree in Edinburgh, Scotland, focused on research in experiential education, worked at a University as an interim Director for Student Spiritual Care and Leadership Development, served in leadership development and design for a district office supporting Lutheran leaders across four states of the Northwest, written a bunch of songs and self-published a couple books of poetry, and coached executives, leaders, and social entrepreneurs for the last 15 years.

I am grateful for our "grafted children," seven of them who are part of our family from our years loving and caring for abused and neglected children.  They -- and their spouses and children -- remain an important part of our family.  I'm married to lovely Jan since 1996, and we are pro-adventure and anti-indoors: road-trips, fly-fishing, camping, rafting, exploring, these are a few of our favorite things.  Our two bio daughters, Lily and Zoe, are in college, so in-home excitement is created by Percy and Bowie, our (very lazy) retriever-mix dogs.

The details of my journey aside, what you need to know -- so we don't waste your time -- is this:  I believe the best leaders are those who live, eat, and breathe a love for others.  When I talk about "finding and fueling your fire," that's what I mean.  Every leader has a different fire, a different focus, but the common Oxygen that fuels the fire is this love for others that you lead.  Once I figured that core purpose out for my path, I've been helping leaders find and fuel their fire ever since.  I let love rule with a brave and creative heart.  If you have this same fire, this same love for others and a desire as a leader to fuel that fire and to help those you lead, then we could be a good coaching match.

I’ve survived some bleak years.  I viscerally get what it’s like to barely hold onto a dream, to be a dying ember.  Coaching is how I partner with you to kindle your coals into a burning fire.

I'm naturally curious, with a drive to be the last one standing in adversity.  I call this the “problems are sparks” mentality.  Often, the challenges we are most afraid of are the challenges that release the most creative energy when we face them courageously.  As a former whitewater raft guide, I know how to help leaders face rough water and come out thriving.

I'm not for everyone, no coach is.   If you tool around my website, you'll see I've built it purposefully to help you determine if we might be a good match.  If you want a trustworthy coach who is honest, not into shortcuts, partners with you to face your obstacles and serve your dreams -- then you will find me a good match!  To be perfectly honest, though, if you don't have the core of love for others, to help them, to see them get better, to encourage those you lead, then we will not be a good match.  There.  I said it.

Here's the summary:  I work best with leaders of every age who seek the good for those they lead, who seek truth in their lives, who see problems as sparks for lighting their fire, who don’t mind a little pain for a lot of growth and joy.