Shawn grew up in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and spent many holidays and summers in Wasco County, where both sets of his grandparents lived—1 in Friend and the other just outside Dufur. After graduating from high school, Shawn joined the United States Air Force, where he served for nearly 22 years. When he retired in 2008, Shawn seized the opportunity to move to his family property just outside Dufur, returning to the community he had always cherished.
From 2011 to January 2024, Shawn served as a parole and probation officer for the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office. His commitment to service extends to being a current board member for the Soil and Water Conservation District for the last 4 years. Shawn was elected to the Wasco Electric Board of Directors in 2024.