Having been born and raised in Portland, Oregon, it was a seeming inevitability that I would grow up to enjoy drinking craft beer, listening to my vinyl record collection, and wearing flannel. Among the Rose City traits that I have managed to avoid are a passion for soccer and affinity for Birkenstocks.
Following graduation from Lincoln High School, alma mater of luminaries such as Mickey Lolich and Rose Friedman, I spent four years in the United States Marine Corps. During this time, I served as a low-quality barber, infantry rifleman, and field exercise tobacconist. I received my first and only challenge coin from an admiral, as well as a heated glare from the battalion executive officer, for inquiring about the lack of beer while deployed aboard the USS Peleliu.
I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in economics and political science. I am currently a graduate student at an international affairs program in Washington DC.
In my spare time I enjoy traveling the world.