I was born in Minnesota and graduated from Thomas Jefferson Sr. High School, Bloomington, MN.  I served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic (enlisted) from 1987-1990, then the Gulf War (1991). I later served in the MN Army National Guard as a Flight Medic and later Commissioned in the Army Reserve Nurse Corps retiring after 20 years of service in 2021 as a Major. 

In my civilian capacities, I earned my private pilot license prior to 9/11 and due to the tragedies of that day, worked early on as a Paramedic and eventually as a Registered Nurse. I earned my Bachelors of Science – Nursing from University of Wisconsin – Green Bay and have worked in the VA Healthcare System for nearly 18 years. 

I continued to pursue my love of flying earning my ratings over the years since 9/11. In 2022, I earned my CFI, CFI-I and MEI ratings eventually becoming employed with Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth, MN as a Corporate Pilot. I’ve spent most of my career in a field that, while fulfilling, did not ignite the same passion that aviation always did. Over the years, I gathered invaluable skills and experiences — managing complex situations, adapting to change, and solving problems under pressure. These were all skills that built a foundation I didn’t realize would one day serve me so well in aviation. Yet, as the years passed, that childhood dream of flight lingered, quietly urging me to reconsider my future. So, as I reflected, the idea of transitioning into aviation – something I had once relegated to the “someday” category – now felt like a vital and achievable goal!

Outside of my aviation passion, I love golfing, cooking, and football.