About Me

I was born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and raised in Manatee County. The community here played a big role in shaping who I am. Growing up, life revolved around the outdoors, local schools, and the kind of community where people knew their neighbors and helped each other out. It’s the kind of place where values like hard work, honesty, and personal responsibility are simply expected. Those early years built a strong connection to this area that has never left me.

After graduating at Lakewood Ranch High School, I attended the local MTI fire academy and EMT school, preparing for a career of service.  I felt drawn toward work that involved helping people in real and meaningful ways.  The training wasn’t easy, but it taught me a lot about teamwork, staying calm under pressure, and being prepared to help people when they need it most. It also showed me how much dedication the men and women in emergency services bring to their work every single.

I worked in the emergency room at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, gaining firsthand experience helping patients during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.  Anyone who has worked in emergency medicine knows it’s a place where you see life from every angle. You see people on some of the hardest days they’ll ever face, and you learn quickly how important compassion, quick thinking, and teamwork really are. That experience gave me a deep respect for healthcare workers and first responders who carry that responsibility day in and day out. 

Wanting to serve my country and continue working in medicine, I joined the United States Air Force and served as a medic. My time in the military reinforced the values I had grown up with — discipline, responsibility, and always putting the mission and the people around you first. Military service also gave me the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life who shared the same commitment to service. 

Service isn’t something I value alone. My wife has also chosen a path of service, and I’m incredibly proud of the work she does. Supporting one another and sharing that commitment has always been an important part of our lives together. She was Active Duty U.S. Air Force as well, and currently serving in U.S. AIr Force Reserves.

Two years ago, I returned home to Manatee County. Coming back reminded me how unique this place really is. The natural beauty, the rural areas, the water, and the sense of community are things that make this county special. It’s a place that holds a lot of memories for many families, including mine for generations. I was shocked to see the changes to the area.