I’m the Director of the Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter. Animals and helping people are my passions. I currently live with four dogs and three cats and love all the chaos that we have at our home. I’m currently working at my dream job as the Director. I get to help animals and people in the community that I love. What’s better than that?!?
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m married to my wife, Michelle who is a retired police officer for the City of Lansing. I have one older sibling, Heather, who lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband Chris (Both Mason HS grads). My parents, Doug & Elaine are both deceased but were very involved in their community of Mason while they were alive.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’m the current Director of the Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter. I started with Ingham County in December of 2019. Prior to coming to the county, I served the residents of East Lansing as a member of the East Lansing Police Department for 24 years. I was a 9-1-1 Dispatcher, Deputy Director of 9-1-1, FOIA coordinator, technology & information supervisor, and was active in the police athletic league and Ingham County Shop With a Cop. I love that I get to work with two of my passions; people and animals. This community is so supportive of our animal welfare efforts! Not a day goes by that I don’t count my lucky stars for all of the support that we have- financial, volunteers, fosters, etc.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love City Limits, it’s my go-to lunch place (best fries in Ingham County). I also love Zaytoons and any BBQ joint.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born and raised in Ingham County. I’ve resided, attended college, and worked in this community my entire life.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I had the honor and privilege of meeting Mr. Dick Thelen before he passed. What an amazing and inspirational man.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Wow- hard one! There are so many places I’d like to see. Italy is on the top of my travel bucket list. I’d love to attend a cooking school in Tuscany!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
As a kid I loved Chips. Even had a Chips “radio” on my big wheel! Movies- pretty much any. I love to relax by watching movies.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Practice relentless optimism. Or as my mom would have said, “Don’t let the turkeys get you down”.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d love to go skydiving.
Q: Who is your “go-to” band when you can’t decide what music you want to hear?
Pink.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Keans. As a kid, I would walk to Keans and get candy from the candy counter. They also had a lay-away program for toys. Loved that!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I’d meet her at Bad Brewing.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
People always step up to help out in this community. Doesn’t matter what for or who is asking. People want to help.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Retired and traveling.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I will listen to almost any kind of music. My playlists are insane! And I will try almost anything once.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The Outback in Australia.
Q: Favorite month? Favorite holiday? Best single day on the calendar?
I love Halloween and Fall in general. Sweatshirts, bon fires, apple cider & donuts. What’s not to love!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Ingham County Animal Shelter. It’s a “hidden gem” in our community. The new building is amazing and I’ve never worked with a more dedicated and passionate group of people.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
The animals in our community.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Cinnamon, apple pie and lilacs.
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for The Faces of Ingham County?
Cynthia Wagner, Kirbay Preuss, and Roxann Wilkinson
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home is where your loved ones are. Home is what you make it. Home is where my animals are.
