A Utah County story

I grew up in Utah County. I attended Orchard Elementary in Orem, Lone Peak High School in Highland, and Brigham Young University.

At BYU, I covered Jon Huntsman’s first campaign for governor for the Daily Universe. It was an early look at how politics can shape the future of a community, and how important it is for public leaders to stay connected to the people they serve.

Life also took me to Texas and Guam. Those experiences gave me a wider perspective, but Utah County has always felt like home.

Home and family

Today, I live in Orem with my wife, Marie, and our six children. This is where our family has built a life.

Raising a family here gives me a personal stake in the choices Utah County makes. Growth, transportation, public trust, and representation are not abstract issues. They shape our neighborhoods, our commutes, and the kind of community our children will inherit.

A career built on practical problem-solving

Professionally, I work in analytics and leadership at Western Governors University. My work involves helping teams use data, reporting, and sound decision-making to solve real problems.

I have learned that good decisions require more than a strong opinion. They require listening, honest information, a willingness to examine tradeoffs, and the humility to change course when the evidence says you should.

That is the approach I bring to public service.

Why I became politically involved

My political involvement grew out of concern that too often, ordinary residents are left out while the loudest and most ideologically committed voices dominate the conversation.

In 2022, I opposed Orem’s proposed secession from Alpine School District. The proposal was championed by a majority of the Orem City Council, but voters rejected it by more than 70 percent.

For me, that result underscored a larger problem. Too many political incentives reward leaders for representing a passionate minority while overlooking the practical concerns of the broader community. This has played out in many other instances, including legislative efforts to re-impose gerrymandering despite popular opposition, and attacks on mail-in voting that works so well for Utah families.

Building a voice for independent voters

In 2023, I collected signatures to help the Forward Party gain ballot access in Utah. I did it because independent voters deserve a real home and a real voice in our political system.

I now serve as Vice Chair of the Forward Party in Utah, which has grown to thousands of voters, hundreds of volunteers, and dozens of candidates running across Utah. Each of those candidates bring a commitment to practical solutions, respect for voters, and a politics that puts people ahead of partisan pressure.

Why I am running

I am running for Utah County Commission because I believe county government can work better when leaders listen first, follow the facts, and focus on what works.

Utah County is my home. I care about its future, and I want to help build a county government that is more practical, more responsive, and more representative of the people who live here.