My Story
Hello friends, I’m Zeb!
If you’re here looking for my political or social stances, you’re in the wrong spot! But no worries — Just click the “Where I Stand” button at the top of the page.
I grew up about 12 miles outside of Houghton, Michigan — what some folks might call “the middle of nowhere.” To me, it was home, and it was perfect. My family ran a small organic farm where we grew produce, pressed our own apple cider, and even made maple syrup.
At Houghton High School, Sports were my life— cross-country skiing, mountain biking, running, and soccer. I had the opportunity to travel all over Michigan for competitions, including multiple state ski championships in Marquette and Traverse City.
After high school, I gave college a try at Eastern Michigan University, but I quickly realized the traditional classroom path wasn’t for me. I wanted to work with my hands, solve problems, and be part of something bigger. That led me to Vancouver, Washington, where I trained at NWREI trade school for wind energy. After six months of hard work, I graduated as valedictorian of my class and launched into nearly five years as a traveling wind turbine technician — climbing 300-foot towers and working across the country from California to Texas.
Eventually, I decided it was time to put down roots again. Life on the road taught me a lot, but it also made me appreciate the value of community and home. I chose Traverse City — a place that felt like a natural extension of my Michigan roots and a community I could build a life in. While most Yoopers might say willingly becoming a Troll is questionable, I’ve grown to love Traverse City just as much as the U.P. and the rest of this beautiful state.
Living in Traverse City these past few years has given me a deeper appreciation for community and what it means to belong somewhere. During my time here, I’ve met many wonderful people, each with their own unique stories and experiences. From the vendors and shoppers at the farmers market to the crowds at the annual art fair, every encounter has reminded me of how special this place is. Being part of that energy makes me want to give back and contribute to what makes this community thrive.
I’ve always been excited about what comes next — the next breakthrough in technology, the next problem solved, the next freedom expanded. This sense of possibility is what I love about this country and about the world: we’ve always been willing to dream boldly and reach for the impossible.
I dream of the day when the air is clear no matter where you go, when everyone has easy access to the basics of life — shelter, food, water. And yes, I still get excited thinking about the things we once imagined together: flying cars, futuristic skylines, and new frontiers we haven’t even thought of yet. To me, that’s the heart of progress — the belief that tomorrow can be brighter, more daring, and more full of opportunity than today.
