Luke was born in Plymouth and grew up in New Hampshire’s Lakes regionwhere he worked on the family farm. After graduating High School in Bristol Luke enlisted in the United States Air Force as an Aviation Electronics Technician.

After being honorably discharged Luke started the small business Sure- Cast Foundry in Belmont NH with two other NH Veterans. After several years of successful operation, the company was forced out of business when their largest customer/debtor defaulted.

Luke then pivoted back to public service and was hired into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Communication and Telecommunications Specialist in Nashua NH. Here he was promoted to Technical Support Office and provided engineering support services for field officesand airports throughout Northern New England.

While at the FAA Luke joined the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists Union (PASS AFL-CIO as soon as he became eligible. He became a unit rep, then a district Rep before being selected to be an assistant to the Regional Vice President for 22 states in the Northeast. During this period Luke earned a BA in Administration and Leadership from the National Labor College. After six years Luke was himself elected as the Regional Vice President a position he held through multiple elections. 

In these positions Luke represented thousands of FAA technical Services employees before the FAA, administrative law judges, and legislators. He also served as a member of the National Executive Board of the Union. Luke Retired from the FAA and PASS in 2022 with 37+ years of Federal Public Service.

Luke is married to Angela who works as a Senior Environmental Protection and Safety Manager for an Aerospace systems manufacturer. They raised their two young adult children in Weare where both attended our public schools. During this time Angela was elected to the John Stark Regional High School Board where she served for 9 years. Luke was alsoelected to serve as the Moderator for Weare’s two school board districts.

The Drakes have long operated a small farm where we raised Highland Cattle for many years selling naturally raised beef, pork, chickens and eggs in local markets. Currently working on establishing sustainable forestry plan with UNH Cooperative Extension.

Luke continues to serve as the elected School Board Moderator for the Weare and John Stark districts, having been reelected to both positions for multiple terms

More recently Luke was instrumental in having the Weare Ethics committee re-established and was elected to a three-year term.

Luke was also previously appointed to the Weare Agricultural Commission.

Luke holds a life time NH hunting and fishing license and is passionate in his pursuit of NH Game with both Bow and Gun. He also enjoys kayaking and Hiking NH Forests and mountains, as well as exploring the wider world with Angela.