Following High School graduation he attended Dakota College at Bottineau where he played hockey for the "Lumber Jacks" and studied Political Science and Natural Resources until his enlistment in the Marine Corps in 1987.
While serving, he received his bachelor's degree in political science from Campbell University in North Carolina.
In 2003, he returned to North Dakota to command the Fargo Military Entrance Processing Station.
While in Fargo, he received his Doctorate Degree from North Dakota State University in Natural Resource Management.
He won in the general election and has focused on job creation utilizing the state's natural resources.