I was raised in Wisconsin. My father is a Latvian immigrant who came over in the early 50’s with his parents through Ellis Island. My mother’s family had been in Wisconsin for generations with a German and French heritage.
I have a younger brother, Chad and a half-brother Shawn and half-sister Jenny. I have always pushed for success, even graduated High School just after turning 16, where I tested out with inspiration to enter college and begin working full-time.
When I was ten, my father took my brother and I on a vacation “Out West” to Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada where I fell in love with the shear beauty of the landscape. The crisp air, trees and blue skies took me away. Later, I followed that inspiration to Montana, where I spent time raising my sweet infant baby girl Sahara. That was one of the best years of my life, just as these last few years with Tricia, Tate and our family.
The entrance to my current career came after that in 2000 with a move to Colorado. Jim Selby, a customer of mine at the time, shared with me an opportunity to be co-interviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Over the years Jim and I cultivated a relationship as business partners and best friends alike.
Life became very hectic over the next few years. I moved to and from Aspen to start various business ventures in places like Texas, San Diego, and Portland. Portland is where I met and fell in love with Tricia and her kids. Tricia and the kids moved to Aspen to support my career, but we moved to Hood River to build our family and share a good life together.
I have been blessed with four children of my own; Zevi (passed), Sahara (13), Tate (5) and Ty (2). Tricia not only brought me happiness and two very perfect little baby boys, but also three enthusiastic kids of her own Jake (13), Meghan (11) and Kyle (10).
Tricia and I have been successful in building our family and bringing the kids together, including our little guys Tate & Ty! The kids fill our lives with laughter, love and an immense appreciation for just how wonderful we’ve got it!!
The future looks bright for us all. I was never one to regret much; but after my son Zevi passed away I realized it was even more important to live it to the fullest and NEVER look back because the future is bright and big as you make it. Everything happens for a reason and it all “comes out in the wash”. What happens in our lives along the path has some amazing affects on not only our world, but also those around us. These kids are all potent examples for this. It is in those details where I have found proof.