Leadership is a Lifestyle
Leadership isn’t just a word I use — it’s something I’ve spent my entire career building and living. When it comes to this sheriff’s face, the real question is simple: Who has the experience to lead an organization of more than 60 people with a $6.5 million budget? I do — and here’s why.
My leadership journey started in the U.S. Air Force. During Security Police Technical Training, I was selected as assistant flight leader — a peer leadership role that set the tone for everything that followed. I went on to earn the rank of staff sergeant, where I was responsible for training, mentoring, and leading my team every day.
When I joined the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, things moved quickly. At the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, my classmates voted me president of our class — an honor I didn’t take lightly. I graduated as the top student and received the Outstanding Student Award. But the recognition that meant the most? A plaque my classmates presented to me just before graduation, thanking me for the work I’d done to help the class succeed. I still treasure that to this day.
From there, I rose through the ranks — patrol sergeant, lieutenant, and then patrol captain — before being promoted to chief deputy, a position I held for approximately eight years. As chief deputy (often called the undersheriff), I was responsible for day-to-day operations of the entire office, including the Patrol Division, Corrections Division, Criminal Investigative Division, Communications (911) Division, Emergency Management, and the Administrative Division. I stepped in for the sheriff whenever needed, assisted with preparing the budget, oversaw hiring and evaluations, and served as the connection between the office and the community we served.
I am currently the team commander for a Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I lead approximately 60 team members in Region VII across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri — coordinating training, logistics and deployment during some of the most difficult situations imaginable. I’ve been part of this team since 2009 and have served as commander for the past six years. I previously served as the acting deputy team commander for seven years.
I’m also finishing my third term on the Blair City Council — 12 years of service — including four years as council president. That experience has taught me how to balance competing priorities, think strategically, lead transparently, and keep the long-term good of the community at the center of every decision.
What I’ve learned through all of it:
Leadership isn’t a title — it’s a lifestyle. The best leaders listen more than they speak, adapt to what a situation demands, and never stop serving the people around them. I believe in servant leadership and balanced leadership — meeting people where they are, empowering my team, and building a culture of trust, accountability, and shared purpose.
Real leadership is about setting a vision, inspiring others to believe in it, driving innovation and change, and doing the hard work to get there — together.
That’s the kind of leader I’ve always tried to be. And that’s the kind of sheriff I will be.
Posted on 29 Apr 2026, 9:33 - Category: News