Born and raised in Jefferson County, Commissioner Simmelink is in his first year of public service as an elected official.  A graduate of Madras High School and Mt. Hood Community College, Simmelink has 27 years experience as a successful business owner. In 2017, he organized and coordinated Oregon Solarfest which accommodated approximately 40,000 people in the Madras area during the Total Solar Eclipse.  He serves his community volunteering as an event emcee, youth sports coach, and as the public address and radio play by play announcer for local sports teams. He and his wife Karla, a RN, have been married since 1998 and have three children.