My Story and Mentors

"I grew up in Janesville, WI: a town of 65,000 that was largely known for it's GM factory that made SUV's until it closed in the 2008 recession. Three of my four grandparents on both sides grew up on farms in Minnesota and Iowa; the fourth was a daughter to a Henry Ford line worker. In high school I was an active participant in my high school's swim and lacrosse teams as well as our acclaimed musical program. However, when the Wisconsin weather allowed I could reliably be found on the Rock River that ran through town. I found an insatiable draw to the water and a endless passion for watersports. Each summer my family spends two weeks on an aging pontoon houseboat on Lake Powell, Utah. We still make time for a trip to that lake every year for quality family time and respite. This is where I learned to ski and wakeboard as well as developed exceptional problem solving skills. When you are a two hour boat ride from help, you become skilled at making necessary repairs with the tools and parts on hand.

These passions and skills have driven much of my involvement and professional experiences. I am incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to develop my unique skill set through these experiences and from many personal and professional mentors."

Matt and Kayla Fillmore

"I had the privilege of spending a considerable amount of time with Matt and his family in 2020 while I lived and worked in Tennessee. Matt is a Civil Engineer who works in sales and management specializing in data sites. Initially, a relationship built on our shared passion for water skiing quickly became an invaluable friendship. I regularly look to Matt and his wife Kayla for sound input on a wide variety of questions."

Colin and Leah Murdy

"My brothers have always provided unparalleled support and insight. Colin earned three master's and a bachelor's degrees in four years from Concordia University Wisconsin. He started and runs his own business, Murdy Creative, with his wife Leah. Murdy Creative produces unique and personalized leather binders and covers made completely in the USA."

Lawrence and Helen Bice

"Lawrence Bice was a close friend of my late grandfather. He was unquestionably the essence of a hard-working Iowan farmer. With his wife Helen, he started and built L&H Bice farms. He often shared stories and insights from experiences including serving in the Korean War, participating in a Russian farmer exchange during the cold war, and running a large hog and beef operation. I considered him a close friend and an invaluable mentor. He passed in the fall of 2021 and I miss him dearly."

David and Karen Sue Murdy

"My mother grew up the fourth daughter of a Lutheran Pastor and has dedicated her life to serving her family, her community, and her patients. Most recently she was a major player in building Concordia High School in Austin. My father grew up in Rock Island, IL the son of a contractor. He earned his undergrad and master's degrees at the University of Chicago and finished med school at Brown in Rhode Island. He's been an exemplary leader in many areas and is known in the community as an extremely skilled and compassionate physician specializing in the most complex geriatric patients. He has always been incredibly supportive, even when providing constructive criticism."

Wayne and Phylis Olson

"Wayne and Phylis were my mother's landlords when she initially moved to Janesville. They were fiercely supportive of her then, and have become mentors I find continual encouragement from. They are known the community over as caring, supportive people. Phylis is someone who I can count on for reassurance and perspective in a variety of circumstances"

Andrew and Leslie Kollmeyer

"My large extended family is a go-to sounding board for both personal and professional queries. From pastors and teachers to pilots and engineers, our crew represents a wide variety of specialties. Andrew and his wife, Leslie, are highly sought after Georgia Tech engineers. Andrew is just one example of family members I regularly look to for input on engineering professionalism among other things."

Eric Rhodes

"High school swim team is where I learned many lessons about drive and work ethic. Our coach, Eric Rhodes, a local painter, is a widely respected hard-working family man. He regularly pushed us to be better, not only in the pool, but also as students and men in our community. One particular instance embodies this: I desperately needed to study attend a review session during an important practice leading up to a qualifying tournament. I spent the entire practice studying for a test, which I did successfully pass, and returned to the pool where Coach Rhodes stayed late allowing me to finish the practice set on my own."

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