10/15/2026
I was asked the following questions for a future article. If you don't know me as the current Mayor or are wondering why you should check my box on the ballot, please read on. Thank you for your vote!
How long have you lived in Coquille?
My wife, daughter and I moved to Coquille in August of 2014. The Foursquare Church in Coquille was looking for a pastor and we were praying about a community. We fell in love with Coquille after our first visit.
Our daughter graduated from Coquille High School in 2015. While living in Coquille, I have had the distinct privilege of serving as a volunteer firefighter for Coquille Fire & Rescue, a chaplain at Coquille Valley Hospital and as Mayor of Coquille since January 2021.
I am still the Sr Pastor at Coquille Foursquare Church. Our family has set roots in Coquille with my daughter and her husband and son, my mother and my niece and her son. What a beautiful place to live and raise a family.
What is your background, personal and/or professional?
I married my high school sweetheart almost 36 years ago. We have three children and three grandchildren. We enjoy camping, gardening, fixing buildings, traveling and being with family and friends.
I became a pastor of the Foursquare Church over 20 years ago and came to Coquille from Canby, Oregon. Before that time, I worked in middle management for multi-million dollar companies as a buyer of raw commodities. I worked for Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, Jana’s Classic and Woodcraft Industries.
While serving on our Coquille Fire & Rescue, I was awarded the “Oregon State Volunteer Firefighter of the Year” in 2019. In that same year I was also awarded the “Horses Ass Award” at Coquille Fire. I proudly display both awards in my church office!
Have you held public office before?
In 2020 I successfully ran for Mayor of the City of Coquille. I was sworn in as Mayor in January 2021. I am currently completing my third 2-year term. This is the only public office I have held.
Why are you running for city office?
I am running for Mayor for much the same reason I did six years ago: I love Coquille and want to do my part to help our community thrive.
There is a Scripture that tells us to work for and pray for the peace and prosperity of the city where we live, because when the city prospers, we prosper with it. That principle continues to shape how I approach serving as Mayor.
We have accomplished a great deal over the past several years, but there is still important work ahead. I believe I bring experience, a collaborative spirit, and an ability to work well with our City Council, staff, community members, and the many partners who are investing in Coquille.
Six years ago, I promised that I would lead differently—with collaboration, respect, honor and a focus on moving our community forward. That commitment has not changed. I love this community, I believe in its future, and I want to continue working—and praying—for Coquille to be a place where people and families can thrive.
What are your goals, if elected?
My goal is to continue building a Coquille where families can live, work, and play. We have made tremendous progress over the past several years, with investments in our parks and outdoor spaces, improvements to buildings and public facilities, and positive growth in our business community.
There is still important work ahead. We need to continue investing in our water system and other critical infrastructure. We need to strengthen the City’s financial accountability and get our audits current. We need to secure the future of Coquille Ambulance. We also need to keep supporting our local businesses, improving our downtown, pursuing grants and outside investment, and creating opportunities for families to build their lives here.
I believe we have the right people, partnerships and momentum in place. My goal is to build on that progress and keep Coquille moving forward.
