Growing up in Paradise

I was born in Los Angeles, California, but soon after my brother was born, my family moved to Paradise. Just a few years later, my grandparents joined us, choosing Paradise as their new home even though Weaverville was a close second in their hearts.

Growing up surrounded by the natural beauty of the Lassen National Forest, I spent my youth fishing, hiking, and camping in the forests and around the lakes above Paradise. These experiences shaped my love for the outdoors and deepened my appreciation for Northern California’s natural beauty.

I attended Paradise Elementary School, Paradise Intermediate School, and graduated from Paradise High School in 1984 — a proud local through and through. During high school and college, I supported myself by working part-time at Stratton’s Market and offering yard care services around town.

After graduation from high school, I moved into my very first place — a cozy 240-square-foot cabin with a wood stove. Simple, warm, and full of character, that little house marked the beginning of an independent journey rooted in hard work and community values.

The 2018 Camp Fire changed Paradise forever, but I still love my hometown and cherish my memories of what once was.

Chico State

I attended college at California State University, Chico, spending many winter nights studying by the woodstove in my cabin.  I graduated in 1990 with honors, earning a double major in Business and Economics.  Being the first in my family to earn a four-year college degree was a huge milestone, cementing my belief that hard work and perseverance pay off.

After taking a year off to experience big city life (very much confirming it’s not for me) I returned to Chico for graduate school to study Land Use Planning – a field that blended my interest in community and infrastructure development.

A Career Rooted in Service

In 1994, a simple moment changed my life: my dad spotted a job opening with Trinity County. I applied, got the position, and made the challenging decision to leave grad school—just one class and a thesis short of completion. At the time, online learning wasn’t an option like it is today, but the opportunity to serve my community was worth it.

Settling in Junction City, I rented an old double-wide mobile off Lake Road, with water for the place coming from an old mining ditch. It may sound rustic, but I loved every moment of it—it represented independence and connection to the land.

Building Faith, Love, and Family

In 1996, I joined the Weaverville Church of the Nazarene, a community that became a meaningful part of my life and faith journey.

Two years later, in 1998, I met my incredible wife, Sheri. We married that same year, and as of today, we’ve been blessed with 27 years of marriage. Her patience, kindness, and adventurous spirit make every project we take on together that much more fulfilling.

Work, Land, and Legacy

In 2000, Sheri and I moved to a rental in Lewiston, and I began a new chapter working for Caltrans District 2 in Redding, where I proudly served for the next twenty years.

A year later, in 2001, we bought five acres that had been damaged in the 1999 Lowden Fire. It was a labor of love—clearing debris, rebuilding the wellhouse, and repairing the old barn before constructing our home. Over the years, that land has become a reflection of who we are: resilient, resourceful, and rooted.

Our Homestead Life

Today, our homestead has expanded to ten acres. Together, we tend to a vibrant space filled with gardens, an orchard, and a mix of animals—our loyal dog, a curious cat, and heritage mottled Java chickens. I handle the growing, and Sheri takes pride in canning, freezing, and drying what we harvest. And yes—we even have a root cellar!

We love Trinity County, our community, and our homestead. This place isn’t just home—it’s part of who we are.