I am originally from upstate New York and moved west after graduating college in Erie, PA. Americorp brought me to the northwest where I served for 2 years performing environmental restoration work throughout the Columbia Gorge. This led me to various jobs in natural resources during which time I joined the Hood River Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 2002. Realizing my calling, I enrolled in the EMT-Basic class at CGCC. I then pursued my Paramedic certificate at which time I was hired full time at Hood River Fire in 2005. I have been working there ever since as an Engineer/Paramedic and started teaching part time with the college approximately 2 years ago.