Pete grew up three miles outside of Cove, Oregon, a tiny community of 500 people at the base of the Blue Mountains. He spent his childhood playing in the mountains of his parents property, fishing, building forts, conducting his own “science” experiments, collecting rocks, playing in the creek, catching insects, frogs and salamanders, making and selling art and crafts, picking fruit and farm work on neighbor’s farms. He holds degrees in Graphic Design, Production Art, and Theology and has a wide array of professional experience including owner/operator of restaurants and hotels, plumbing/electrical/construction, owner/operator of art galleries, and art teacher for children and adults.

Pete first found Swallowtail when he was researching local private schools for his then kindergarten-aged daughter. Initially he was drawn to the attention to music, handwork, Spanish, and the farm property. Now several years into her educational journey, he would add to that list the long-lasting, caring relationships his daughter has with faculty and staff, and the way the school cares for her emotional well-being. In his free time you can find Pete working on projects with his daughter, camping, painting, making art, gardening, hunting and collecting rocks, reading, cooking and baking.