When Andy first walked through the doors of HCO at 18, he had no idea how much the place would shape his life. He was looking for a job that meant more than flipping burgers or stacking shelves—something with purpose and a touch of adventure, something that would make him lookforward to each shift. As fate would have it, a friend’s mom, a coordinator at HCO, was hiring. With her encouragement, Andy joined HCO as a direct care staff in the Pleasant Valley program.
Those early days in direct care were bothchallenging and rewarding. Every shift brought something new—activities, laughter, and moments filled with meaning. Andy loved it, and before long, he was working as a full-time nightattendant, balancing those hours with college classes. Even during the busiest moments, he felt grateful to be part of a team that genuinely cared about making a difference in people’s lives.
After graduating from Winona Senior High School in 2004, Andy continued his education at St. Mary’s University, where he earned his degree in accounting in 2010. Shortly aftergraduating college, he moved into the Business Office at HCO, where he would go on to spend the next 15 years. While his role changed, the core of what he valued about HCO stayed the same: being part of an organization that brought real good to the community. His colleagues inspired him daily, sharing both challenges and triumphs, and reminded him why he had chosen to continue working for HCO.
Andy is a Winona native, proud to be part of the community he serves. He and his wife areapproaching their 14th anniversary in June, and together they’re raising three children: Carter, who’s 11, Tyson, age 10, and Eisley, who’s 4. Outside of work, Andy is devoted to his family and passionate about giving back to the community. He spends his free time coaching youth baseball and serving on the board for Goodview Sandlot Baseball, where he enjoys helping young players develop their skills and love for the game.
Looking back, Andy realized that what started as a search for “something interesting” had grown into a lifelong journey. Each day, he feels proud to be part of a team that touches lives and makes a lasting impact on the community. He is excited for this next step in his journey here at HCO as the Finance Director. Congratulations, Andy!!
