Who is Aaron Carlson?

Aaron Carlson is a life long resident of Stillwater since 1978. His parents moved back to Stillwater, because it is a great place to raise a family. Both of his parents worked for Oklahoma State. Aaron's three sisters, Heather, Kirsten and Kendra also attended Stillwater Public Schools and graduated from Stillwater High. As a youth Aaron was active in Boy Scouting, sports and youth programs at St. Francis Catholic Church. At the age of 11 he started to deliver the Stillwater News Press - a job he held for the next five years. In High School he was on the Stillwater High Swim Team, the Debate Team, Mock Trial Team, and spent a year in Finland as a Rotary Exchange Student. It was during high school he started to volunteer on political campaigns.

Carlson has a Bachelors degree from St. Gregory's University in Humanities. In college he was on the Dean's and President's honor rolls, was active on the newspaper and yearbook staff, continued to volunteer for the Stillwater High School drama and debate team and was an intern for the U.S. Congress. After he completed his degree from St. Gregory's he returned to Stillwater, bought a house and went to work (officially) for Congressman Wes Watkins. About a year later Aaron was promoted to the Washington DC office where he served until Watkins retired after 20 years in office.

Returning to Stillwater Carlson entered Oklahoma State University and completed a Masters Degree in Political Science joining his sisters as a fourth generation of OSU graduates. He continued to work on political campaigns across the state of Oklahoma, worked as a graduate teaching assistant, and for the Athletic department. He continued his association with the Boy Scouts as a merit badge counselor, and volunteered with Rotary International providing information to perspective exchange students.

Carlson currently works as an adjunct professor at the Stillwater Campus of Northern Oklahoma College and St. Gregory's University. He continues his volunteer work with the Boy Scouts of America and Rotary International, Stillwater Public Schools, United Way, and various other groups. In his spare time he likes to collect Boy Scout Patches, spend time with his nieces, travel, and read. He is a member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Stillwater, The National Rifle Association, the Oklahoma Political Science Association, the National Eagle Scout Association, Stillwater Rotary Club and the Payne County Historical Society.

Aaron is the son of Anne Matoy (and her husband Michael Banks) of Stillwater and Gene Carlson (and his wife Kay) of Red Lion, Pennsylvania. His maternal grandparents, Ray and Helen Matoy, are also long time residents of Stillwater.