Current home: Fort Collins, Colorado

Degree: B.S. Natural Resources Management, minor: Spatial Information Management Systems, 2003

Why do you do the work you do? I do the work that I do because it is more than a job, it’s a career. I work in a field that allows me to use analytical skills and the knowledge I obtained at CSU for environmental management.

I am lucky because I also will get the chance to do field work throughout the country and possible internationally, although I spend most of my time working with GIS at CEMML here on campus.

Describe the type of work you do on a daily basis: On a day to day basis I work with the latest software in Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing to assist with various contracted tasks to assist the military in environmentally sustaining their lands. This can also involve travel to various installations to use GPS to collect data needed for mapping and analysis purposes.

How did your degree prepare you for your present position? My degree prepared me as much as my real world experience has. Although my work focuses more on my minor than my NRM degree, my natural resource background is indispensable for the type of work I do in GIS. The classes in both fields gave me knowledge and skills which I use everyday. From land management practices to computer skills in GIS I could not do what I’m doing today without my degree.

Who was an early inspiration to you? My mom was an early inspiration for me because I watched her raise my brother and myself while going back to college to get her Bachelor's then Master's and eventually her PHD. This inspired me to cherish my opportunity with higher education.

What faculty member had the greatest impact on you? Rocky Coleman was the faculty member to have the most impact on me because of his knowledge and love for GIS and forestry. His classes gave me the knowledge, experience and desire to pursue a career in GIS.

It should also be said that many other faculty members had great impacts as well. Ed Redente, Freeman Smith, Rick Knight, and others all were wonderful teachers that pushed and inspired me to excel in the various key fields of natural resource management.

What was your proudest moment at CSU? My proudest academic moment at CSU was being told my GIS segment of the final 420 presentation was one of the best the professors had seen in years. It was a great moment because at that moment I really felt I had connected with the field of natural resources and GIS and knew that the reason I did so well was because I loved what I was doing.

What was your most memorable moment at CSU? My most memorable moment was standing at over 10,000 feet at Pingree park, taking it all in and saying to myself “this is what it’s all about.”

What was your favorite Warner CNR class? My favorite class also had to be Pingree park. To learn first hand in such an awe inspiring environment from so many wonderful professors is a gift not many get to enjoy.

What advice would you give to students? My advice to other students is to take full opportunity of the resources given to you by CSU. Academically, the faculty here is outstanding and usually very open and available so use them.

Also, start to gain real experience while your in school. By that I mean take a job in your field. Having experience in your field before you graduate will make all the difference in the world. I graduated just over a year ago but I have over three years of experience in GIS because I worked several different GIS jobs while a student.

What words do you live by? “Live every day well.”

What organizations were you involved with at CSU? I was involved in the GIS club and Xi Sigma Pi.