OUR STORY

From the Helm to the Frontlines—and Back Again

I grew up with salt in my blood and wind in my hair. From a young age, I was drawn to the water—not just to play but to learn. Sailing became more than a hobby; it became a formative teacher. I spent my youth navigating currents and trimming sails, gaining not only a love for boats but a deep respect for nature’s rhythms and unpredictability. That early exposure taught me leadership, patience, problem-solving, and a rare kind of self-reliance you can only earn out on open water.

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But as life’s winds shifted, I found myself moving inland, to the mountains and rugged beauty of Teton County. And with that came a different kind of calling—emergency services. I entered the world of firefighting and EMS, where chaos reigns in different forms. It was meaningful work, and it came with its own version of intensity, purpose, and community. For years, I served steadily on the frontlines, helping others on their worst days. I carried heavy loads—both physically and emotionally—and grew in ways I never anticipated.

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Then I became a father. And everything changed.

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Holding my son for the first time reoriented my entire worldview. I began to look more closely at the kind of life I was modeling, the kind of legacy I wanted to leave behind. I realized I wanted to live a life that he could look up to—not just one of service, but one of presence, joy, and purpose. I could feel the stress and trauma of my career beginning to take a quiet toll—not just on me, but on my relationships with my son and my wife. And I knew something had to shift.

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That’s how the idea was born—to create a nonprofit sailing and environmental stewardship program for underserved and underrepresented youth in Teton County. The dream is simple but urgent: give these kids the opportunity to experience the joy and challenge of sailing, while grounding them in real-world science, citizen stewardship, and teamwork. Onboard, they won’t just learn knots and points of sail—they’ll learn about watersheds, climate, responsibility, and resilience.

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This isn’t just a return to the water. It’s a full-circle journey—a way to braid together my background in youth education, my professional experience in crisis and leadership, and my lifelong belief that nature is one of our greatest teachers. My hope is that this program becomes a lifeline not only for the kids we serve, but for the broader community. Because when we invest in the next generation’s connection to each other and to the planet, everyone wins.

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And for me personally—it’s the chance to live more fully in alignment with the father, husband, and citizen I want to be.