Family is the dominant force in my life.

I was raised by two loving parents in a close-knit Midwestern home of 5 children (1 brother & 3 sisters). Born the eldest in an artistic & musically inspired middle class home, I understand the importance of leadership, creativity, and hard work.

In 2006 I married my wife Nicole. We met back in middle school. We had our first child Susan in 2007 and our son Jaxon followed in 2013. Being a Father who can provide a good life for his family is my central motivation in all that I do.

The martial art of Aikido is a core component of who I am.

I am a 2nd Degree certified black belt in the martial art of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido. I have a black belt in Ki Development and was certified as an Assistant Ki Lecturer & Assistant Examiner of the International Ki Society. I began & continue my training at the Northwest Ki Federation headquarters in Tigard, Oregon. In 2016, I trained at the Ki Society World Headquarters under the the world’s top Ki-Aikido instructor Shinichi Tohei Sensei. In 2019, I attended the National Instructor’s Conference.

In 2015, I founded the non-profit West Linn Ki Aikido dojo. There I volunteer my time teaching Aikido to children and adults. The dojo has grown to over 50 students with ages ranging from 4 to 50. Next to my own family, my students are the thing I am most proud of in life.

In additional to my training with the Oregon Ki Society, I am a former student of world renowned self defense instructor Rory Miller and top national firearms instructor Grant Cunningham. I hold nearly a dozen various certifications in self defense & firearms from top certified instructors & law enforcement.

Wards come from a long line of artists and musicians. Music has been a passion of mine for over 20 years. I have studied saxophone, drums, guitar and bass in a wide variety of genres. I have won five Michigan state competition metals. In 2006, I had the honor of playing for Michigan’s Governor during her re-election celebration. I have toured five states across the midwest.

During my music career I released seven albums selling over 5000 copies. My songs received radio play on six stations across Michigan. I have been interviewed or reviewed by every major newspaper and music magazine in the midwest. I consider myself very lucky to have been a part of great musical teams that allowed me to accomplish this life goal.

In 2007, I left my last band to focus on my career, wife and our new family. I look forward to returning to music in the next few years as an instructor to pass along my experience to a younger generation.

I believe hobbies say a lot about a person. Whether you are a sports fan, music lover, bookworm, or movie buff, hobbies serve as a window into your personality.

After spending ten years living in Grand Rapids and another nine in Portland, the city-slicker in me loves the trappings of city life: sushi bars, jazz clubs, a great men’s clothing store, art galleries, a well made cappuccino, and any excuse I can get to bring my wife out for live music and/or dancing.

Having said that, I grew up in the country while living in a small town near Lake Michigan. I enjoy many country-boy past times: hunting with my brother; camping with the family; fishing with my daughter. I like mountain climbing (I have summited 4 peaks), hiking and wandering the woods. I grow my own vegetables for food and maintain a small orchard.

My wife and I are big concert-goers. There is nothing like a great rock concert to get our blood pumping. Over the years we have seen hundreds of different bands and met a dozen different rockstars.

I have traveled a fair amount. I have been to most of the lower 48 states and seen many of our nation’s greatest natural wonders and cities. Beyond our borders, I have explored Great Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, Canada and Japan.

From the time I was a boy, I have had a strong interest in politics, world history & religion. I frequently scour the internet and bookstores for my latest fix as a political junkie.

As most people of my generation and profession, I grew up on a healthy diet of comic books, video games, sci-fi movies and episodes of Star Trek. Fortunately, my wife is not the typical woman – she shares in many of these guilty pleasures. In some cases she even exceeds me.

You may have noticed a lack of interest in sports. Nothing personal sports fans, it’s just not my cup of tea. Although there are a few exceptions: I do enjoy a good round of golf from time to time, watching my daughter play soccer, watching an MMA fight and playing Paintball.

You get the idea.