I was raised on the Imperial Stock Ranch. I started working with the cowboys and farmers at the early age of 12 or 13. I might not have been much help back then, but I definitely learned a lot from those crusty old "country characters." They taught me to work hard, to love all of the animals, and to enjoy every day that I spend working in paradise. When the tough jobs came, complaining was not tolerated. Those guys were always quick to point out that a desk job in L. A. would not be much more fun. The tough times seemed to fly by when thinking of being trapped in that cubicle in L. A.

The early years flew by, mainly occupied with working, family time, hunting, fishing and camping. I enjoyed the animals, especially the horses and the cattle dogs. In my spare time, I also enjoyed learning about loud obnoxious things such as motorcycles, chainsaws, tractors and of course, girls. A couple of those I am still trying to figure out. When I finished high school, I pursued an agriculture degree from Oregon State University. This was a very valuable time for me. I learned many things that I hadn't learned from the cowboys. In college, we quickly learned that agriculture had a business end to it, and that it rarely looked good. Thankfully, they taught us ways to improve that. After college I spent some time skiing, traveling and spending the rest of my college money.

When I was faced with getting a real job, I had to choose between life in town or hard work on the ranch in "God's country." I returned to the ranch and have been here ever since. My hobbies haven't changed much,however, I have added rafting, snowmobiling and traveling. Today I enjoy showing people that farmers and ranchers take care of the environment and all God's creations. They do this because their livelihood depends upon it. I spend most of my time here on the ranch and I love it with all my heart. I believe in everything that the Imperial Stock Ranch does and stands for, and I pray that it will live on forever.