I was born in 1980 in Salt Lake and grew up near Seattle before moving to Colorado in 2000 living in Colorado Springs, Ken Caryl Valley, Arvada, Westminster, and downtown Denver. I considered becoming a police officer and desired to be a news anchor / reporter having graduated in broadcast journalism (https://youtu.be/ERjDjxaNJBY?si=eD-Tfl4ZHwSn-n5d&t=6).

Vail has been my home since the winter of 2013–2014. I came here thinking I would spend one winter getting skiing and snowboarding “out of my system” as I was planning to move to someplace warm like Phoenix, San Diego or Las Vegas. I left after my first winter so I wouldn’t get “stuck here” like I had heard often happens to people. I spent summer 2014 in Teton National Park (adjacent to Yellowstone) being a bellman at the historic Jackson Lake Lodge. From there I went to Naples (Florida) in which I accomplished my dream of living somewhere warm. I was there for not even one month when I saw pictures of the first snow on the mountains. I guess I just didn’t feel at home in the sun and sand of the Florida coast as I've been here ever since.

Of all the hospitality jobs I’ve held—waiting tables, bartending, working as a bellman—driving has suits me best. I began professionally in the 2015–2016 season with Colorado/Epic Mountain Express before starting my own company, Vail 70, named after Interstate 70, the route that brings travelers straight here. I’m often asked how I feel about driving in the snow and I enjoy the challenge. Its actually not that hard as there’s a few tips I adhere to and they’ve never let me down as I’ve never gotten stuck or needed chains. I also consistently get complimented on my safe and smooth driving. So you can truly sit back and relax when riding with me as I am an experienced mountain driver. 

What really keeps me working in mountain hospitality is I enjoy the “work hard - play hard philosophy” that us locals live by as during peak season we work much more than 40 hours a week - including nights, weekends and holidays - from December to March and June to September. And then during the off season we rest and play. This lifestyle was tailor-made for me as one of my favorite things to do is hit the open road on my motorcycle for days or weeks at a time exploring with my Corgi Morrie!