A Story of Resilience, Service, and "Good Work"
Rooted in Adaptability
The son of military parents, Dirk’s journey began in Oklahoma before moving to Okinawa, Japan, at just six weeks old. His childhood was a map of the United States — from Florida to Pennsylvania to South Dakota. These early years of constant transition taught him to be adaptable and open to new people and experiences, like finding epic quests in neighborhood woods with his siblings and the family dog.
Growing from Local Campaigns to the White House to Eden Prairie Schools
Dirk’s journey in public service began on the front lines of grassroots organizing in South Dakota. As a teenager and young adult, he discovered his passion for advocacy in issue-based campaigns that affected him and his neighbors. He learned the work that goes into creating deep impact for a community, spending too many hours with too little sleep phone banking, emailing, door knocking, and delivering literature.
Through intense dedication, this early work led to significant statewide victories, including the successful defeat of Measure C, which sought to further restrict marriage equality in South Dakota, and the defeat of Proposition 6, which would have further restricted abortion access.
Dirk continued to build on this foundation through several campaigns and political roles:
Hillary Clinton (2008): He volunteered extensively for the 2008 campaign, chairing a local group and serving as a chaperone for campaign surrogates while advancing his leadership in field organizing.
Barack Obama (2012): During the 2012 re-election effort, he volunteered for the campaign doing essential field work in Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia.
The White House (2011–2015): This dedication eventually led him to the Office of Presidential Correspondence in the Obama White House. Starting by reading the President’s mail, he was promoted to lead a team of writers and editors, ensuring that the voices of the American people were heard and addressed by the administration.
In 2015, Dirk transitioned his expertise to school public relations, serving as the Media Relations Coordinator for Minneapolis Public Schools. Since 2022, he has served as the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for Eden Prairie Schools. His leadership has been transformative, from strategic efforts that have furthered the district’s financial stability to helping transform learning experiences to earning the prestigious 2024 National School Communicator of the Year award. Throughout his career, Dirk has remained an "expert storyteller" and "tireless advocate" for the communities he serves.
Building a Life in Eden Prairie
Dirk and his husband, Todd, met in college and bonded over a shared commitment to service and progressive values. From Washington, D.C., to Minnesota, those core beliefs have remained their north star, strengthening their relationship through every challenge. In March 2020, they expanded their family by adopting two sons from the foster care system — a journey of "high highs and low lows" that has deepened Dirk’s resolve to fight for the wellbeing of all families.
While Dirk’s professional expertise first brought him to Eden Prairie Schools, he and Todd quickly saw a unique spirit in the community that convinced them something special was happening in Eden Prairie. In 2022, he and Todd enrolled their sons in the district, fully immersing themselves in the community. Over the last four years, they have begun building deep roots here: cheering their son Nico on at soccer matches at Flying Cloud, watching Damien discover his passions through robotics competitions, spending time together at community events, supporting local businesses, and embracing everything Eden Prairie has to offer.
When he isn’t advocating for students or managing a crisis, you can find Dirk at the theater for the latest movie, exploring the outdoors with his family, or seeking out the next great adventure with Todd, Nico and Damien.
Discovering a Purpose
Dirk’s commitment to justice and equity is deeply personal. As a survivor of sexual assault and a gay man who navigated a conservative upbringing, he found his voice in a single Post-it note he wrote in his youth: "I am me. I’m an individual. I am attractive. What other people think doesn’t matter. I am loved. I don’t need walls and barriers. Love, me."
This realization transformed into a lifelong professional guiding belief: Do good work. For Dirk, "good work" means exceptional, strategic effort that advances the cause of justice and leaves the community better than he found it. Whether co-founding the Good Trouble PR initiative to disrupt systemic inequity or advocating for mental health resources, Dirk leads with empathy and courage.
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