Dave grew up in a military family where hard work and sacrifice were taught. It is here that he learned the importance of our country and its impact on the world. A deep commitment to faith, patriotism, and civic duty are the cornerstones of his upbringing, as well as continual sources of strength and guidance.

Dave met his wife, Emily, his senior year of high school. They dated during their early years of college and married shortly after. They had their first child in December 2016.

He has served in several leadership capacities in both small business and local politics. Dave currently serves as Vice-President of Logistics for a manufacturing support services company where he helps bring businesses together to find tailored solutions for their customers.

From 2011-2013, Dave served as Vice-Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party. While serving, he showed a steadfast commitment to the cause of liberty and freedom. Dave believes we need to encourage and hold accountable our elected representatives to support such principles.

In 2016, Dave was the first Latino elected to House District 15. He is providing new energy and enthusiasm that will help strengthen our community and Colorado. Dave is committed to working with the grassroots to further the cause of liberty and ensure that freedom is passed on to future generations.

I’m a gay, millennial, first-generation American-Iranian-Mexican. And I’m a Conservative Republican and proud to share my story

Raquel Escobar Rios is an intuitive mentor, therapist, and a guide who offers inspiration. With over 9 years’ experience in healing, plus a lifetime of psychic awareness, Raquel recovers a natural balance in people and environments. Her background is in arts, pedagogy, drama, holistic therapy, and film. Originally from Spain, Miss Rios currently lives in London.  

From his early years, Michael always felt a need to help others. After attending North Central Bible College in 1977, Michael worked with troubled teenagers, street gangs and homeless youth.

In 1992, Michael's calling led him to pursue a career as a certified massage therapist and reflexologist. In 1993 he opened his own practice," The Holistic Massage and Reflexology Center".

TEACHING/LECTURE EXPERIENCE 1993- 2013
Michael had the vision to share his gift of healing with others and began teaching and lecturing in the Chicagoland area. Michael was an instructor and student outreach coordinator at RTS Massage School in Darien. He also taught Spa Reflexology at The Academy of Nails in Downers Grove. He has lectured at the Chicago Cosmetology Association's Midwest Beauty Show, Downers Grove North and South High School Athletic Departments, Glen Ellyn Runners Association and sponsored many local 5K's and sporting events.

In 2011 he was chosen to be a subject matter expert with the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Body workers (NCBTMB) and travels to Minneapolis, MN twice yearly to assess the test materials for National Certification.

SOHMAR A SCHOOL WITH HEART
Michael and his wife opened the school in 1999 and began offering reflexology classes. In 2000 the school became certified with the Illinois Board of Higher Education and expanded the program to include massage, reflexology and CE classes. Since our inception SOHMAR has graduated hundreds of massage therapist and reflexologist. We are a small school with a big heart. We have worked with students ranging in age from 18- to 72. We have taught visually and hearing impaired individuals as well as bilingual students.

MASSAGE THERAPY HALL OF FAME 
Michael was selected by a group of his peers and inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame August 8, 2016. This is quite a feat, being that there are over 350,000 Massage Therapists and 23,000 private Massage Schools in the US alone. Choosing SOHMAR for your education means that you will be taught by a documented leading expert in the field!

IN THE COMMUNITY
Well known in the sporting community as both an athlete and sports massage therapist, Michael and SOHMAR students provide massage therapy at many Chicagoland sporting events. By participating in these events the students gain an edge working in real world situations while gaining invaluable training outside the classroom.
Over the years Mike and the school has graduated hundreds of students in Massage Therapy and Reflexology. SOHMAR has also given out scholarships which have helped people change their lives.

SOHMAR sponsors many sporting events and takes his students to them to give them "real life experience" while in school. Some of these include, The Chicago Marathon, Downers Grove Turkey Trot, Bonfield Run, MS Indoor Triathelons and much more! If you are a runner, you might even see SOHMAR students on the Glen Ellyn Prairie Path with the Glen Ellyn Runners on Sunday mornings during Marathon trainings!

Steve Thurston is the Program Manager at Edward-Elmhurst Health and Fitness.