intheBEGINNING

I'm originally from Elkhart, Indiana, the recreational vehicle RV capital of the world. I graduated from Concord High School in 1997 (home of NBA slam-dunking Shawn Kemp).  I come from a large blended family and have a long and complicated family tree, representing all kinds of political, social and life-style persuasions. Being 20 miles east of the University of Notre Dame's campus, I have always been a Fighting Irish football and basketball fan.  

MywifeTracy

​Tracy and I met at the end of my freshman year in college at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois (home of the Chicago Bears summer training camp and fellow student, Ben Zobrist, 2016 World Series MVP of the Chicago Cubs). We were married in August, 2000. She is originally from Effingham, Illinois (with a unique high school mascot in that state, if not the entire country). Both of our sets of families still reside in the places where we were born. 

FaithandReligion

My grandmothers were the stronger ones in faith and religion. My dad's mom was a staunch Catholic and my mom's mom always attended small churches near her home. Both of my grandfathers, however, were not religious at all. As for me, I grew up in a Free Methodist Church, briefly in a Missionary Church, and then a Church of the Nazarene, with my dad and step-mom. All three churches being conservative, evangelical, Wesleyan-holiness denominations. Whenever I go home to Elkhart we attend my home-church, Crossroads Community Church, now one of the larger churches in the state. (Their growth came after I left for college). I would love to share my testimony with any individual or group.

Wherewewere

In 2001, after college, we moved to Kansas City for four years and had our first two children there. I graduated from graduate school in KC. Tracy was a elementary school teacher in Raytown, MO. I worked part-time for UPS for three years. In 2005, we moved to Valparaiso, Indiana, one of America's best communities. We lived there for seven years. At first, I worked in youth ministry but I also gained experience in substitute school teaching, and various sales, marketing and development roles. I also attempted my first business venture. Tracy was still a school teacher for most of these years in Valpo. We added two more children, for a total of four and no more! :) ​

Whereweare

We currently reside in Findlay, Ohio (known as the #1 micropolitan in the nation for it's economic development and business growth). Since September 2012, I have served on staff at Findlay First Church of the Nazarene. My wife now also serves at the Naz as the children's pastor. I am working with a few community organizations and agencies. In the past year, I have increased my solo-entrepreneurial efforts and blogging as well. 

Ourfourchildren

We are truly blessed to have a houseful of wonderful children. As of summer 2018, Alauna is a sophomore in high school, Avery is in 8th grade, Addison is in 3rd grade and Alexander is in 1st. They all have tremendously bright futures ahead of them. (And they love to babysit or dogsit for other families:) We truly support our Findlay City Schools. 

Mytruecolors

Circumstances often bring out true colors. A lot of people are like me, but none quite like me. Duh :) If I were to assess myself, I think I am 100% of Green, then 90% Blue, followed by 80% Orange and still 70% Yellow. See the personality color comparison chart to see what I mean. My top 5 StrengthsFinder results are: Developer, Futuristic, Individualization, Strategic, Learner. I would love to talk about your profile. 

Likes, Hobbies&Interests 

I love to listen to music (most genres), play music (bass guitar), DJ / MC events, and go to concerts with my wife or children. I usually like meeting new people over a cup of coffee. I am pro-Israel (never been there) and pro gun-rights (don't own a gun) and pro-legal immigration. I also occasionally try to squeeze in some walking, biking, landscaping, reading, frisbee golf, movies, and certainly Notre Dame football. 

Thanks for your interest in my story. ​If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.