From a young age, I learned the importance of independence, self-reliance, and hard work. As the youngest of five children, raised by a single mother with no father in the picture, I witnessed the grit and perseverance of a mother who taught me hard work by her own example. My mom worked her way up the socio-economic ladder putting herself through college. Growing up in poverty was not easy or glamorous. I learned firsthand that government hand-outs are not what improve lives; rather, hard work and a steady job do.

After earning my bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technology, I spent over a decade at Caterpillar in various engineering and management roles throughout Western Canada and the United States. I managed business plans of up to $320 mn, supervised a team of 12 employees, and earned 6Sigma methodology certification. 

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While living in Canada, I saw firsthand how high taxes, progressive social programs, and overregulation undermine individual aspiration and excellence. I experienced how collective state intervention in many facets of society crowds out individual voluntary charitable action breeding a sense of entitlement across the country. After living in Canada, I realized the importance of preserving our unique American way of life for my children — a system which had afforded me the opportunity to lift my own family out of poverty. As a result, upon returning to the United States in 2012, I became active in local and state politics in my home state of Utah.