Q.  What is the best thing about living in your community?

A. I love the community of southwest Nebraska.  Being able to raise our family and earn a living in this calm, caring, supportive place has been an amazing blessing.  I’ve had the opportunity to travel quite a bit.  There are so many wonderful places in our nation and around the world.  I value the calm nature of southwest Nebraska with so many business, education, youth, volunteer and recreational opportunities.   I also appreciate a progressive, philanthropic spirit and pure grit here on the golden plains.

Q.  Did you always plan to return to McCook/Southwest Nebraska? If not, what changed your mind?

A. Shelly and I lived in Denver with great jobs and benefits.  When we thought about our next stage, we wanted to move back to southwest Nebraska to raise our family and to give our children many wonderful experiences and opportunities.  We wanted a more wholesome life.  We made the right decision.

Q.  Through your time in McCook, what changes have you seen benefit McCook/SW NE?

A. Many great progressions in McCook.  With “higher level thinking”, McCook has become more progressive and attractive for families.  I’ve seen many “turf issues” fade as important leading entities work together for a better McCook.  The whole is better than the parts.  When we work in a spirit of collaboration, we realize success for all.

Q.  What is your favorite memory of an event or activity in McCook?

A. I think that Heritage Days and Buffalo Commons are two of our greatest events.  They both celebrate and bring our community together.

Q.  Why do you think it’s important to have McCook Community Foundation Fund?

A. The funds that MCFF raises to make our community better are very important.  But I’ve always believed that the most important thing the MCFF does is bring people together in an organized manner to take time to think about what would make southwest Nebraska better. Then MCFF along with the community helps figure out how to make these progressions happen.

Q. What excites you when you think about the future of your community?

A. I have an abundance mindset.  McCook has the potential to explode with new opportunities.  With the local talent, passion and amazing local and national generosity, the only thing that will hold us back is not dreaming and not working to advance this place we love to live.  I feel like a silver platter is being held out to us.  We have to stand up, reach out, accept and run with these opportunities.  It takes effort.  I’m excited for our next generation and for us.

Q.  What do you hope to accomplish by being part of MCFF?

A. I hope to help inspire dreams in our community.  I hope to help people understand the incredible opportunities we have in southwest Nebraska.  I hope to encourage collaboration between many people and groups.   We need to work together to make our dreams come true.  We can do this!!

The small town atmosphere with big city opportunities is what makes McCook an excellent place to live.