Interview by Chris Pederson
1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in orthodontics, and were there particular people or experiences that shaped that decision?
Growing up, one of my neighbors was an orthodontist, and he always spoke so positively about his profession. I also had a great relationship with my family dentist, so dentistry was always something I was drawn to. When I started thinking about a career, orthodontics felt like a natural fit for my interests. I love working with people, solving complex problems, developing detailed plans, and doing hands-on work in a fast-paced environment. Orthodontics also allows you to get to know patients and their families over time, while helping them achieve something that can positively impact their confidence for the rest of their lives. That combination has made it an incredibly rewarding career.
2. Can you walk us through your personal and professional journey—from your education and early career to the decision to establish Compass Orthodontics?
I grew up in St. Cloud, attended St. John’s University, and earned my dental degree from the University of Minnesota, graduating with high distinction in 2017. I practiced general dentistry before returning to the University of Minnesota for my orthodontic residency, earning my Master of Science in Dentistry and Certificate in Orthodontics in 2020.
My years in general dentistry gave me a broader view of oral health and a real appreciation for collaboration among providers. During residency, I also had the opportunity to conduct research on maxillary expansion, which was later published in an international orthodontic journal. I became board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics in 2021 and have since been involved with the Minnesota Association of Orthodontists, including serving on its board.
Along this career journey, I married my high school sweetheart, Steph. We’re raising toddler twins, Will and Maddie, with another baby on the way in early 2027. Steph was instrumental in bringing Compass Orthodontics to life. She was a sounding board for countless ideas, helped shape the vision, designed the practice, and even painted the artwork on our walls. Having her support, perspective, and creativity throughout this journey has meant so much to me, and Compass really reflects both of us.
3. What motivated you to move from practicing orthodontics to becoming an entrepreneur and opening a practice of your own?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to own my own business. I was previously an owner in a multispecialty, corporate dental group. That experience taught me a tremendous amount about clinical care, leadership, and the business of orthodontics. It also helped me recognize that I wanted more direct control over how patient care was delivered and how my team was supported.
I believe the best care happens when the person providing it is also the one making the decisions. I wanted the freedom to spend time with each patient, deliver customized treatment with the latest technology, provide a functional and esthetic space for patients and my team, and build a team culture rooted in trust, accountability, and shared values.
Compass Orthodontics brings together my clinical experience, my passion for personalized care, and vision for what an exceptional patient and team experience should look like. For me, Compass was never just about owning a business. It is about creating an environment where both patients and team members feel genuinely valued.
4. Why did you choose Medina as the home for Compass Orthodontics, and what appealed to you about serving this community?
I have always been familiar with the area because my uncle, and now my cousin, own a business in Corcoran. My family and I also live in the west metro, so establishing the practice here felt especially meaningful. It was important to me to build a practice in a community where we are raising our family and building lasting connections. When it came time to choose a specific location, Medina checked every box: a strong sense of community, high-quality schools, and a growing population. I saw an opportunity to provide convenient, high-quality specialized orthodontic care to the families in Medina and surrounding communities.
5. Opening a new practice requires much more than clinical expertise. What were some of the greatest challenges you encountered while bringing Compass Orthodontics from an idea to reality?
One of the biggest challenges was realizing just how many different disciplines are involved in opening a practice. As an orthodontist, I’m used to focusing on treatment planning and patient care. Building Compass meant stepping into the roles of entrepreneur, accountant, project manager, financial planner, employer, and business owner—all at once.
Constructing a new building from the ground up added another layer of challenges, from coordinating architects and contractors to navigating budgets, timelines, technology, and countless design decisions. Every detail, from the clinical layout to the patient experience, required thoughtful consideration.
But the challenges are what make this whole process rewarding. Every challenge has been an opportunity to learn, and seeing Compass evolve from an idea into a place where patients and families walk through the doors has made all the hard work worthwhile.
6. How did your experiences as an orthodontist influence the atmosphere, patient experience and culture you wanted to create at Compass Orthodontics?
My clinical experience really shaped every aspect of Compass. After treating thousands of patients, I’ve learned that excellent orthodontic care is about much more than straight teeth. It’s about how people feel throughout the process—whether they feel heard, comfortable, informed, and confident in the care they’re receiving.
I wanted to create a practice that felt welcoming and calming, while still delivering an exceptionally high level of clinical care. The office itself was intentionally designed to feel more like a thoughtfully curated, comfortable space than a traditional clinical environment. We incorporated natural light, modern technology, and other small details that make visits feel more enjoyable and efficient.
Just as importantly, I wanted patients to have a personal relationship with their orthodontist. At Compass, patients see me throughout their treatment, and I take a hands-on approach to their care. Every treatment plan is customized, and we take the time to explain the options so patients and parents can make informed decisions. We want to deliver outstanding results while making every patient feel like they matter—not just as a patient, but as a person.
7. How do you balance your roles as an orthodontist, business owner and community member, and what have you learned about yourself through that process?
Balancing the clinical and business sides of Compass has been both challenging and rewarding. As an orthodontist, my focus is on providing exceptional care to each patient. As a business owner, I’m also responsible for building a strong team, creating a positive workplace culture, and ensuring the practice is positioned for long-term success. Those roles require different skill sets, and I’ve learned how important it to carve out time away from the clinical work to focus on the bigger picture.
One of the biggest lessons has been the importance of intentional leadership. Building the kind of practice I envisioned requires trust, clear communication, and empowering the people around me to take ownership of their roles. I’ve also learned that growth doesn’t happen simply by working harder—it comes from being thoughtful and precise about where you invest your time and energy.
Ultimately, I’ve found that the most rewarding part of ownership is having the opportunity to bring my values into every aspect of the business, from patient care to team development to our involvement in the Medina community.
8. As you look ahead, what is your long-term vision for Compass Orthodontics and the impact you hope the practice will have on its patients and the Medina community?
My long-term vision is for Compass Orthodontics to become a trusted part of the Medina community—a place where generations of families feel comfortable coming for orthodontic care and know they’ll be treated with expertise, honesty, and genuine care.
Clinically, I want to continue investing in advanced technology, education, and personalized treatment approaches so we can always provide the best care. But I also want to preserve what makes Compass special: the personal connection, the welcoming environment, and the ability to make decisions based on what’s best for each patient.
Beyond the office, I hope Compass becomes an active and lasting contributor to the community through relationships with local schools, businesses, and organizations. We’re proud to be a family-owned practice, and we want to support the families and community that support us.
Ultimately, success isn’t just about how many smiles we transform. It’s about the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the positive impact we have on people’s lives. If families look back on their experience at Compass and feel that they were genuinely cared for—and leave with a smile they’re proud to share—then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.
