WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
TEXAS, TEXAS YEE HAW! Ok, okay! That’s about the extent of my southern lingo, though you will probably hear a y’all from me every now and then. My stomping ground was The Woodlands, TX, a growing town just north of Houston. I went to college at UT in Austin, and recently some of my close family has migrated there.

WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULDN’T GUESS ABOUT YOU?
I’m certified by PADI as an advanced open water diver. My dad got me into it when I was 15 and I completed my first open water dive in a near zero visibility flooded rock quarry called the Blue Lagoon in Huntsville, TX. I’ve since been blessed with the opportunities to dive all over - in frigid waters off the coast of SoCal, the warm and beautiful Caribbean, and halfway around the world at sites between Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao (islands near Thailand). I enjoy investigating wrecks and observing oceanic life in its natural habitat. It’s always an interesting moment, and sometimes hair-raising, when encountering larger creatures like sharks, seals, sea turtles, manta rays, and moray eels.  Fun fact: I once completely assembled a pirate themed Mr. Potato Head while hovering just below 100 ft!

WHAT WOULD YOUR DREAM VACATION BE?
Tough choice. Diving the Galapagos archipelago or visiting ancient Greece by first completing the Athens marathon, then recover while checking out all the historic sites. When my kids are older, I’d like to go on a family trip to Disney World and share with them all the cool experiences I remember visiting those parks growing up.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE OUTDOOR ACTIVITY?
When there is an ocean nearby - swimming in it, diving in it, and catching waves as a newbie surfer, then likely wiping out seconds later hoping to not get sucked into nature’s free washing machine rides.

WHAT BOOKS ARE ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND / KINDLE?
Positive Discipline for Preschoolers
Stephen King’s Dark Tower Series - stalled out on book 3 at the moment
Various books about running and other endurance sports
If you’re into sci-fi - check out the audio books for the Ender’s Game series and Ender’s Shadow series by Orson Scott Card - great narration!

WHO IS THE BEST BAND AND TO SEE LIVE?
Any band really, if you enjoy their music! I think the improv that usually accompanies live performances is what makes the experiences more memorable.  The past couple years I’ve attended the Austin City Limits music festival with my brother and friends.  It’s a 3-day event hosted at Zilker Park with bands playing throughout the day on several stages.  Standouts have been Metallica, CHVRCHES, Illenium, Martin Garrix, The Killers, Andrew McMahon, The Wombats, Tove Lo, Grace VanderWaal, and too many others to name!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Wrangling my almost 5-yr old son and 3-yr old daughter.  At this stage they are a handful, but also adorable and interested in everything!  I look forward to introducing the kids to new activities as they get older.  When I have the chance to escape reality, I enjoy getting out for runs, catching a movie, and gaming with my brother and friends online.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELIEVE STRESS?
Go for a run!  I have long term goals to qualify for Boston and complete a full Ironman… it’s just a matter of time.