Personal Thoughts I believe understanding someone’s personal history offers tremendous insight to their character. I was born and raised in the Midwest, in a very loving family. I watched my parents plug into each community where we lived, treating people with honesty, respect, and compassion and making their family, faith, and finances priorities. As they invested in these communities, the communities reciprocated. This resulted in a successful, rewarding “internship” from which I learned. As part of the 1991 University of Iowa football team which went to the Rose Bowl, I learned the importance of a team playing together. I have also been fortunate to compete and finish over 80 triathlon