My first thought was, “Why me?”

I love Furnish Hope and would do anything to support them.

I make ugly things beautiful.

I am passionate about helping people discover their purpose, potential, and value. Much of my time is spent investing in community development, mentoring others, and building connections between people and resources that help them thrive. I have a heart for service and enjoy working alongside organizations that create practical solutions for individuals and families facing challenges.

Hope has been inspired in my life by several people who have demonstrated perseverance, faith, and love through both challenges and victories. My mom was one of the first people to inspire hope in me. As a single mother raising me, she worked hard, sacrificed often, and never gave up even when life was difficult. Watching her persevere taught me resilience and showed me that difficult circumstances do not have to determine your future. My wife inspires hope in me every day. Her faith, commitment to our family, and willingness to walk through life’s challenges with grace and perseverance have strengthened me more times than I can count. She has been a constant reminder that hope grows when people choose to love, serve, and remain faithful through both good times and difficult seasons. I have also been inspired by friends who have stepped out in faith to follow God’s calling on their lives. Watching them take risks, trust God, and pursue a purpose greater than themselves has encouraged me to do the same. Their example reminds me that hope often grows when we are willing to take a step forward, even when we cannot see the entire path ahead. Together, these people have shaped my belief that hope is powerful, contagious, and often passed from one person to another through faith, encouragement, sacrifice, and genuine care.

To me, hope looks like people showing up for one another. It looks like neighbors helping neighbors, mentors investing in young people, families finding support during difficult seasons, and individuals being given the opportunity to move forward when they may feel stuck.

My favorite thing about being part of the Bend and Central Oregon community is the people. There is a strong culture of generosity, volunteerism, and people stepping up to help one another. I’ve had the opportunity to serve with organizations, churches, schools, and community groups throughout the region, and I continue to be encouraged by how many people are willing to invest their time, talents, and resources to make our community stronger.