Don is running for state representative for the people in Belmont, Sanbornton, and Tilton because the current representatives don’t share his values or respond to his messages. He has lived in the Lakes Region for over 12 years. He is retired and enjoys many of the activities this region has to offer. He is an avid skier and has taught skiing and snowboarding at Gunstock and Loon.

Like many Belknap County skiers and voters, Don was distressed by what happened with Gunstock Ski Area this summer. He believes the Gunstock Area Commission should be a non-partisan group that serves as a board to guide and support Gunstock Management and not to micro-manage them. Gunstock should remain as a county asset and not be sold or leased. He would propose legislation to clarify the role of the Commissioners and the County delegation in Gunstock Operations.

Don is a family man. He has been married to his wife Shela for 40 years. Together they have a son, a daughter, and a granddaughter.

Don has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Psychology. He completed a Master’s certificate in Program Management and was a certified Project Management Professional until he retired. He completed a black belt program in quality management.

During his 30-year career in IT services Don worked in various roles: sales support, professional consultant, product and service manager, operations manager, strategic planning manager, and program manager.

Don is now a full-time volunteer. He is President of the Board for Belknap House, a family homeless shelter serving Belknap County. As an adaptive ski and snowboard instructor at Gunstock, he helped veterans, autistic children, and the visually impaired. He is very active in his church and leads the worship committee. He serves as a Mission Pilot as well as Emergency Services Officer and Education and Training Officer in the Civil Air Patrol.

From working with the homeless, Don gained an appreciation of how many of us are just a single catastrophic event –an illness, medical expense, car breakdown, or job loss– from being homeless ourselves. This is why he supports affordable healthcare, public education, affordable housing, job training, paid family and medical leave, and a reasonably compensated workforce.

Don has worked on campaign finance reform and believes that Citizen’s United has tainted our political system with corporate money. He has worked with the Open Democracy Group and Rights and Democracy to improve our election process and ensure fair voting.

As a state representative, he will fight for workers by protecting worker’s rights and supporting competitive wages and benefits. He will listen to his constituents and bring more transparency to state government. Visit his website, www.donhouse.info, to learn more about his position on issues.