Hello from rural Douglas County. I grew up just north of Villa Grove on my family’s farm along Snake Road, where yes, there really were snakes. Those early years of rural life instilled a strong work ethic in me, because while you can take the kid off the farm, you can’t take the farm out of the kid

After graduating from Villa Grove High School in 1995, I joined the Army National Guard based out of Urbana. In 1997, I moved to rural Atwood and worked for my girlfriend’s family while attending Parkland College. There, I gained valuable experience serving customers and working closely with local farmers through their family meat market.

My wife, Jami, and I were married on the Fourth of July in 1998, followed by a honeymoon in Hawaii. In 2003, we moved to a rural homestead between Atwood and Tuscola, where we later built our current home and raised our three children. Our oldest daughter, Mackenzi (23), was recently married and will be teaching 5th grade in Arcola. Our middle daughter, Regann (21), attends Eastern Illinois University majoring in public relations, and our son, Mackenely (18), attends Parkland College while interning with United Prairie Fertilizer in Peirson Station.

Professionally, I spent more than 20 years in the grain industry in operations management, helping Central Illinois farmers with their harvested grain crops. In recent years, I transitioned into ag retail sales specializing in farm drainage solutions to help landowners improve productivity and field conditions. In 2025, my wife and I purchased the Atwood Mini-Storage, rebranding it as On Point Storage Solutions LLC, and added a U-Haul dealership.

My desire to help others and guide them through life’s risks led me into the insurance industry. After researching agencies in Central Illinois, I found Compass Insurance to be the right fit. My farm background, agricultural experience, and more than 15 years with the Atwood Fire Protection District aligned perfectly with the values and specialties of the agency. Today, I focus on serving farmers, rural customers, and fire departments throughout Central and Southern Illinois.

In my spare time, I enjoy pheasant hunting with family and friends. With four bird dogs at home, life is never dull. I also enjoy the occasional round of golf with my son, who still makes sure he’s better than I am.

I look forward to helping our customers navigate the risks in their lives and protect what matters most.