I grew up in Texas and moved to Missoula in 1984 to attend the University of Montana. After graduating and serving two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa, I moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1990. I married Jamie Ogden in 2000, and we bought our house in Corvallis in 2004, the year our daughter Rosalyn was born. One of the reasons we chose Corvallis was the solid reputation of its school district.

As a vegetable farmer, I helped start the Hamilton Farmers Market in the early 1990s and served on its board for many years. As a parent, I served on the board of Evergreen Kids Corner Preschool. Professionally, I worked for 7 years as a journalist and copy editor for the Ravalli Republic and for 10 years as an environmental health specialist for Ravalli County. I am a Registered Sanitarian and since 2018 have been self-employed as an environmental consultant.

Aside from my addiction to nurturing the soil and growing good and nutritious food, I also enjoy cooking, running, hiking, backpacking, camping and cross-country skiing.

I am an ardent proponent of public education and community service, and I hope to contribute to the ongoing success of the Corvallis Schools through active participation in the Corvallis Schools Foundation.