Sam moved to Kotzebue with his family at age 12 and has considered it home ever since. He works as a fuel truck driver for Vitus and is active in the community through coaching cross-country and middle school wrestling. Sam enjoys snowmachine riding, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, skijoring, and dog handling.
With many years of Kobuk 440 volunteering experience, Sam has supported nearly every part of the race and has especially enjoyed helping local mushers with training and kennel work.  Sam has served on the Kobuk 440 board for the past three years, where he assists with race supplies, sponsorships, and overall decision-making. He and his wife, Jazmine, have begun building a small recreational team of their own while continuing to learn from and support local mushers.