He grew up in the town of Morgan, Minnesota. As the crow flies, Morgan is half way between Sioux Falls and the Twin Cities. Shawn started my broadcasting career while still in high school at "The Polka Station of the Nation" KNUJ radio (860 AM) in New Ulm, MN. The day he was hired for that job, his little town was hammered by hail the size of canned hams. It was the first storm that he had predicted and knew then that he wanted a career that would help save lives by keeping people safe from storms.

After high school, Shawn headed west and became a Jackrabbit! At SDSU, he earned a bachelor's degree in choral and vocal music. Then, went on to receive certification in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University. Shawn’s a member of the National Weather Association and holds the NWA Broadcaster Seal of Approval. In 2002 and again in 2005 Shawn was named "Best Weathercaster in South Dakota " by the Associated Press.

As a tenor vocalist, Shawn’s had the privilege of performing with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, the South Dakota State University Concert Choir, and Statesmen.