As part of the Association News Committee for RMASFAA, we are highlighting our current committee chairs and state presidents. In each “RMASFAA Exchange” we will invite four or five of them to be “In the Spotlight” and give you the opportunity to better know these dedicated and hard-working volunteers.

My Life in Financial Aid
I knew very little about financial aid back in 1986 when I took a job with American Diesel & Automotive College. I had no real idea what I was getting into. I know now that my family made the same mistake that we so often preach about today. My older sister had applied for aid her first year in college and I remember their reaction when, as a modest income family of five, loans were the only thing my parents qualified for. As a result, my brother and I never even attempted to apply for aid, even though there would have been two years when all three of us were in college.

In 1985, with a clinical psych degree in my pocket, I went to work counseling with adolescents in crisis in downtown Denver. Interesting, challenging and overall it was depressing. Depressing to witness and frustrating to realize that there was so much red tape involved, I would never be able to measure any success in what were short-term facilities.

Much like today’s environment, budget constraints cost me a position and I found myself accepting a job in proprietary education. I wasn’t hired to do financial aid but soon found myself helping out more and more. Part-time turned to full-time and there I have stayed ever since. I liked the mix of working with people and processing an array of paperwork.

Since then, I have worked for University of Northern Colorado (counselor), Colorado Student Loan Program (compliance & training), Colorado University @ Boulder (assistant director) and Colorado State University (associate director). I have enjoyed being involved in different job responsibilities and have enjoyed each job.

I became a CAFAA member in 1992 and have been one ever since. I have presented at some conferences and have been a member of the Professional Development committee since 2001 and served as chair in 2002. I also served as VP in 2003. It wasn’t until Fall 2003 that I attended my first RMASFAA conference. I had done some Summer Institute stuff in the late 90’s but never a conference. As I finished up my VP in 2003, I was asked to serve on the Audit & Finance committee and am currently chair of that committee.

I had several young ones in my family beginning in 1992 and I think it was those commitments that kept me from getting more involved earlier. I have a lovely, dedicated wife and 3 beautiful girls at home. Outside of commitments to them and to church, I try to stay involved in sports myself and keep my competitive spirit alive.