Shawn graduated from Chadron State College in 1984, has lived in Alliance for the past 28 years and has been an accountant, office manager and is currently Controller for WESTCO. Early in his career, he was active in the Alliance Jaycees and in 1988 assisted Kevin Horn in getting the Alliance City Council to allow the Jaycees to move their July 4th fireworks show from the old rodeo grounds near the golf course to Laing Lake Park to celebrate Alliance's centennial. To this day, the July 4th fireworks show still delights the citizens of Alliance at the Laing Lake site.

Over the years, Shawn has been active in the Alliance Chamber of Commerce on the sports and Recreation Committee and later served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Currently, he is Vice President of the Box Butte Development Corporation which assists small and large business development in Box Butte County.

Shawn volunteers to help with the many organizations his children, Ian and Kendall, are involved in and enjoys golfing, camping and boating with his wife Audrey and their children.