Don was born in Juneau and grew up in Hoonah and Cordova before returning to Juneau as a teenager. A graduate of Juneau Douglas High School, he also has a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He grew up hiking, hunting and skiing in the woods of Southeast Alaska. Don worked as a volunteer instructor for the Juneau Youth Sailing Foundation. He also has been a swim coach, swimming instructor and skiing instructor. Don operated his own tour boat business from 1993 to 1995. For the past 11 years he has worked as a telecommunication tech for Jeffus & Williams CO. Inc. He moved to Sitka in 2001 when Juneau became too big for him. While in Sitka, he has continued to be an avid hiker and back country skier while learning to surf. He can be found most days on one of the trails around Sitka walking his dog.
