Greetings,
I’m a proud local of Tuolumne Township — born in Sonora and raised right in Tuolumne. I attended Summerville Elementary, Soulsbyville Elementary, Summerville High School, and Columbia Junior College.
From 2000 to 2013, I served in the U.S. Army Reserve and as a Department of Defense civilian, until I was medically retired due to injuries sustained in Iraq. After my service, I dedicated many years to community service and own a small business, Rasmussen-Bates Saws. In my younger days I worked as a general woodsman and mechanic, and timber-industry roots run at least four generations deep on both sides of my family.
In 2026 I moved to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as an entrepreneur and expat. Today I help American travelers, veterans, and first responders recover from life’s traumas and injuries — combining my own experience with the healing spirit of Vietnam.
Past & Current Community Involvement:
- Tuolumne Park and Recreation Board Member: Elected 2019-2026.
- Tuolumne County Historic Preservation Review Commission: Appointed 2021-2026.
- Tuolumne County Veterans Committee since 2014-2026.
- Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee Chairman & Mascot since 2018-2026.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars: Keith Dale Wann Post 4748 Chairman and a State Chairman since 2005.
- Sonora Vets Helping Vets Board Member since 2018.
- American Legion Sonora, Smyth-Bolter Post 58 Member.
- Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Life Member.
- Military Order of the Cootie: Assisting Hospitalized Veterans.
- Knights of the Maccabees: Honoring those that pass away and assisting Widows, Orphans and the Needy.
- The Ancient & Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus: Fraternal organization dedicated to preservation of the heritage of the Western United States.
- Founder of 22Wall.org: Honoring those who have pasted, promoting awareness and helping 22 survivors.
- Founder of Garden of Warriors Recovery: Assisting American Travelers, and Military/First Responders recover from trauma and injuries in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam.
