Meet Gerald
Family: My wife, Amanda, and I are blessed to have seven children ranging in age from 3 years old to 17 years old. My children attend school in USD 334.
Current employment: I serve as the Pastor of a small country church. I am also employed full-time in Rural Delivery Service in North-Central Kansas. My family lives on a farm that we operate in Cloud County near Glasco.
Community: As a 4-H family, we believe in being involved in our community. While my wife, Amanda, has served on the USD 334 School Board for 4 years, I have been involved in the Site Council. I am a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Sons of the American Revolution, and Kansans for Health Freedom. I am also a Constitution Coach.
Education: I graduated from high school, attended Junior College, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Leadership from Manhattan Christian College in 2019. I plan to attend Southern Evangelical Seminary in the future.
Youth: I grew up on a family farm in west-central Missouri. I lived here until leaving for the Army in 2002. Prior to joining the service, I worked as a farm hand, a carpenter’s helper, and as a food machinery mechanic in a processing plant.
Military: I served in the United States Army from 2002 to 2015. I volunteered for the Infantry and I served in positions including: Rifleman, Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, and First Sergeant.
- I was first assigned to Fort Drum, New York. I spent 8 years at this duty station, where I deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003-2004. I also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from 2006-2007, and 2009. I also served in a number of additional duties while assigned to the 10th Mountain Division. I attended and graduated a number of military training schools while stationed at Fort Drum. I received honors at the schools I attended and was recognized for my performance. Additionally, I was chosen to represent my battalion in all Division Endurance Challenges while assigned to Fort Drum.
- I was later reassigned to Fort Benning, Georgia in 2011 as a Drill Sergeant. I spent 3 years at this duty station where I had the honor of training hundreds of America’s finest fighting men. I served as the NCOIC of the Battalion Color Guard and received accolades for Honor Details completed.
- I was last assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas in 2014, where I completed my career as a soldier. I felt called at this time to serve as a Pastor, and attend to my family. After leaving the service, I worked as an appliance repairman and in Rural Delivery Service while attending Bible College.