I grew up in a small town in Ohio called Grand Rapids. I joined the Marine Corps in 2010 and was with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines throughout my four-year enlistment. After I got out, I went to welding school in Ohio to further educate myself. I later joined the work force, working with several large and small welding operations in Ohio and in Washington State. In 2016, I took six months off work to hike the Appalachian Trail. I then returned to Ohio until 2018 when I set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). After finishing the PCT I loved Washington State so much I decided to stay. After seeing the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen in my life, and realizing the amount of work it takes to maintain and preserve this natural land for the future, I wanted to be part of that more than anything.

During my VetsWork AmeriCorps internship, I will learn everything I possibly can about the projects I am involved with so that I can hopefully obtain a full-time position with the US Forest Service. It is my goal to not just better myself but to make a difference in the areas I will be working.