I grew up in Kankakee and graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with degrees in marketing and fashion merchandising. I then went back to ONU for my MBA. About 5 years ago I moved back to Kankakee County to work for the family business. My Grandparents started this business in the 60s, and the company is now run by my Dad. My concentration is in Real Estate Development for Hunters Run Subdivision and Ruben E. Smith Construction/R & R Inc. My main responsibilities include commercial leasing, residential lot sales, customer relations, keeping up with the real estate market and listings, and maintaining online presence.

I spend most of my spare time out at my horse farm taking or traveling to horse shows. I raise, ride, and show Arabian horses on a national level. It takes a lot of dedication and practice, but I couldn't imagine my life without this sport. Along with several horses, I have a Standard Poodle named Violet, and a 25 year old persian cat, named Walter.

I love helping friends and other local business owners with their websites and social media. It started as a hobby to learn to run our horse farm website and it's turned into helping and managing a number of websites for friends and local businesses.

I volunteer with the Chamber Ambassadors , and sit on several boards throughout our community like Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, Kankakee County Humane Foundation, Amature Committee for Arabian Horse Assoc.