The Best Way Forward Begins Within

Life has a way of inviting us into seasons of change. Sometimes that invitation arrives through a career transition, retirement, a difficult relationship, becoming an empty nester, a health challenge, or simply the quiet realization that life no longer feels aligned with who you are.

These moments can be unsettling. They can also open the door to something new—a chance to step back, see yourself more clearly, and consider what you want from the life ahead. While every journey is unique, meaningful and lasting change often begins in the same place: within.

At Phoenix-North, I believe lasting change begins from the inside out- by discovering the values, wisdom, and authentic self that lead your life. Coaching isn't about becoming someone else. It's about uncovering the confidence and inner compass that already exist within you, so you can move forward with greater clarity, renewed energy, and confidence.

A Little About Me

When I'm not coaching, you'll usually find me playing outside. I seek adventure by hiking, trail-running, paddle-boarding, cross-county skiing, and fly-fishing. I relax by reading, making music, and creating stained-glass pieces. I have lived in Bend, Oregon for 26 years with my lovely wife, and we're the parents of three adult children.

I've also experienced plenty of transitions of my own- raising a family, changing careers, retiring from education, launching a coaching practice, and figuring out what comes next. Those experiences are part of what drew me to coaching and to the work of helping people create a life that feels more aligned with who they are.

Why I Coach

Long before I became a professional coach, I spent more than three decades helping people navigate change.

As a K-12 educator and school leader, I had the privilege of walking alongside students, educators, and families through seasons of growth, challenge, and transition. During those years, I discovered something that continues to shape my work today.

People rarely need someone to tell them what to do. More often, they need someone who will slow down with them, ask thoughtful questions, listen deeply, and create the space to reconnect with what matters most.

That realization eventually led me to professional coaching.

Today, through Phoenix-North, I have the privilege of partnering with individuals and groups who are navigating life's transitions with courage and curiosity. Whether you are entering a new season, feeling stuck, or sensing that something in your life is asking for attention, coaching provides a space to reflect, rediscover your strengths, and move forward with greater clarity and purpose.

Why Phoenix-North?

The Phoenix reflects renewal and resilience- the possibility of rising again and again with greater awareness, clarity, and intention. The compass represents your true north- the inner sense of direction that helps you recognize what matters most and where you want to go.

For some, that inner compass has grown quiet beneath the demands of life. For others, it may still be waiting to be fully discovered. Coaching creates the space to explore it, trust it, and begin living from it.

Together, these symbols reflect a simple truth for me:

Transformation is always possible- and direction matters.

Experience & Credentials

Every chapter of my professional journey has shaped the coach I am today. Through leadership, education, service, music, and professional coaching, I've had the privilege of helping people navigate growth, challenge, and meaningful transitions. Each experience has deepened my understanding of what it means to lead with authenticity, resilience, and purpose.

A Lifetime of Service & Leadership

Throughout my career, I've been honored to serve others in a variety of roles, including:

  • K–12 Educator, Student Services, Assistant Principal, and Principal

  • Residential Firefighter & First Responder serving a suburban Indianapolis community

  • Professionally trained classical musician, performing throughout Europe and North America

  • Parent Educator

  • Executive Director of a non-profit in Bend, Oregon

Professional Coaching Credentials

  • iPEC Certified Professional Coach (CPC)

  • Energy Leadership Index™ Master Practitioner

  • COR.E Dynamics™ Specialist

    • Life & Transitions Coach

    • Performance Coach specializing in athletes, performing artists, and public speakers

    • Executive Leadership Coach

Education

  • University of Oregon - K-12 School Licensure Administrator Program

  • Master of Education - Ball State University

  • Master of Music - Indiana University

  • Bachelor of Music - Oberlin Conservatory of Music

My Role

My role is to create space for discovery.

It's to create a space where you can slow down, think clearly, and reconnect with the wisdom, values, and authentic self that have always been within you.

I believe lasting change rarely comes from someone telling you what to do. It begins from self-awareness. More often than not, the answers you're seeking aren't missing- they've simply been buried beneath the noise, expectations, and transitions that life brings. Together, we'll uncover what has been there all along.

As your coach, I'll ask empowering questions, listen deeply, celebrate your progress, and challenge you with compassion when needed. Together, we'll explore what matters most, uncover new possibilities, and create action-oriented intentional steps forward that feel aligned with who you are- not who you think you should be.

Because sometimes the greatest transformation isn't becoming someone new- it's a rising to who you truly are.