As a kid growing up in the small town of Hanover, MN, Chad spent time hunting, fishing, camping, water skiing, and knee boarding, learning the explorer’s lingo and developing an affinity for the outdoors. At the University of Minnesota-Duluth, he majored in psychology and philosophy. He worked with at-risk youth in the woods for six years. Throughout the years, he traveled to New Zealand, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, and Mexico.

Chad and his wife, Amy, spent their honeymoon on a month-long backpacking trip in Canada then in 1997 they were drawn to Red Wing. Those first two years Chad worked at Deer View Day treatment where he created a mentorship program for at-risk youth. Then it all began in 1999 when Chad became a full-time Red Wing ELC instructor. Today, living on a hobby farm in Wisconsin with three children of his own, Chad and his family go paddling, fishing, hiking rivers, and playing on the lakeshore. Yes, his kids were sleeping in quinzees when they were two.

Throughout his career, Chad has worked with young people. He believes the biggest thing is to see them out in nature. At first they try and fail...then they learn, succeed, and teach others. Gaining stronger confidence, working as a team, and improving one's attitude has a huge impact on young people, and it exponentially affects others across the community. Students are always challenged by something new and different with whatever they are doing in Red Wing ELC programs. It's never dull.