I grew up working in our fifth-generation, Pacific Northwest-based family business. I spent my summers working on our legacy timberlands and for our beer and wine distributorship. During those early years, I recognized the importance of working hard and following your dreams.

After I graduated from college, I went to work for our beer and wine distribution business for a year before working for our investment company, managing our commercial real estate and timberlands portfolio. I have served in several additional roles for the family business, including board member for our investment company, family council chair, and, currently, as annual shareholder meeting chair. At the end of 2014, I made the decision to leave the family business.  I was ready to venture out and create my own successes and failures and to build something myself. It was time.