First of all, it's pronounced "Ka-noot." And I hope we'll be good friends, because I have some great ideas to help keep the Millard School District the best in Nebraska! I appreciate your interest in learning a little about me and why I’m running.

My wife Annie and I moved to Omaha in 1990, when I took a job as a food scientist at ConAgra Frozen Foods. We always knew that we wanted to put down roots in a great school district, and a friend told us to look for a house in Millard — specifically Harvey Oaks. What an extraordinary piece of advice that turned out to be! We did purchase a home in that great Millard neighborhood and have never looked back! 34 years, and two Millard North graduates later, we still live happily in that same home.

Annie and I came here for work, but we stayed because Millard was the best place to raise a family, and it became our home. Annie went back to school to become a nurse anesthetist and, in 1997, I became a stay-at-home dad when our daughter, Palmer, was born. When Palmer started kindergarten in 2002, I began volunteering at Harvey Oaks Elementary. Our second child, Campbell, started school in 2006, and we became more involved in the district as our kids attended Millard North Middle School and Millard North High School.

Through the years, I’ve worked side-by-side with amazing parents, teachers, staff, students, and administration. Annie and I were longtime band parents — where we routinely found ourselves unloading trucks full of percussion equipment late at night. I helped organize the Read-a-Thon at Harvey Oaks for 10 years and was on the leadership team for After Prom at Millard North High for eight. I’ve worked on two bond initiatives and two tax levy overrides, serving as a co-chair during the 2023 campaign.

I’m proud of the education that our children have received. They’ve become worldly, intelligent, critical thinkers and have moved on academically (and proudly) with an MPS diploma in hand. I want other families to have the same experience that we’ve had for 22 years, and watch their children grow while getting a world-class education. And I care deeply about the people of this district — our greatest resource are the teachers and staff who help our kids become adults ready to take on the world.

If I’m elected to serve on the Millard Board of Education, I will put my passion for public schools to work. Your vote for me will go towards securing Millard Public Schools’ future as a world-class district. I am dedicated to providing for the needs of ALL students, educators, and staff while also maintaining a healthy budget.

I’ve been active in all areas of the Millard School district — maybe we’ve even worked together at one time!

Service

Millard Public Schools Foundation Board Member (2020-Present)

Co-Chair of successful levy-override campaign (2023)

Worked on successful levy-override campaign (2017)

Worked on successful Bond Initiatives (2013 & 2020)

MPS District Budget Q-Sort Team (2021, 2022)

MPS Committee evaluating Prospective Construction Managers (2020-2021)

Awarded Friend of Millard Public Schools (2020)

Received Friend of Education from Millard Education Association (2022-2023)

Millard North High School After Prom Leadership Team (2011-2019)

Millard North High School Band parent volunteer (2011-2019)

Millard North High School Forensics parent volunteer (2011-2019)

Millard North High School Orchestra parent volunteer (2011-2013)

Millard North High School Teammates Mentor (2017-2021)

Millard North Middle School Band parent volunteer (2008-2015)

Millard North Middle School Orchestra parent volunteer (2008-2015)

Millard North Middle School Musical/play parent volunteer (2008-2011)

Millard North Middle School Teammates Mentor (2014-2017)

Harvey Oaks Elementary School Improvement Team (2003-2006)

Harvey Oaks Elementary Read-a-Thon planning team (2002-2012)

Harvey Oaks Elementary HAL parent volunteer (2008-2012)

Harvey Oaks Elementary classroom helper (2006-2012)

Harvey Oaks Elementary Carnival Volunteer Coordinator (2003-2008)

Harvey Oaks Elementary Teammates Mentor (2011-2014)

Community Activity

Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts Popcorn Colonel (Kernel) (2008-2014)

Harvey Oaks Homeowners Association Area Directors (1993-present)

Harvey Oaks Homeowners Association parks/grounds volunteer (as needed)

Rejoice! Lutheran Church – Church Council Member (2015-2021)

Education

University of Missouri – Columbia (1983-1987)

Bachelor of Science Agriculture / Food Science and Nutrition