Thanks to all the HUG members for your show of confidence in voting me on to the 2015 board! I am looking forward to serving you!

I am a small town southeast Texas girl who was raised by a gaggle of strong women that instilled in me a passion for serving others and making people happy. Their style of doing this usually meant "cooking up a heap of chicken and dumplings and pecan pie."  I did learn to make a pretty good pie from them but my sights turned to other ways of people pleasing and after college at the University of North Texas,  I tried my hand at retail, bartending and community service.

As the gypsy hippie in my family, I magically stumbled into the world of seasonal hospitality about 15 years ago and haven't looked back. I have had the pleasure through my company, Aramark, of spending real time in many of our beautiful national parks including Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Denali and my current home, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado where  I manage the Far View Lodge.

I am considering giving up the wandering life since I am the proud grandma of the most precious 3 year old and my second grandson is on the way. I will however never give up my love for making people happy and hope to continue to do that in beautiful, colorful Colorado! Come visit me and I might even whip you up a pecan pie!

I can't wait to share my passion and expertise of the industry with you in Oregon in November!