Where are you from?
I was born in Norwalk, Connecticut. Before you send shout-outs, I was only born there and never lived in Norwalk (unless you want to count the 3 or so days in the hospital). I grew up in Richmond, VA on the northside (now, shout-outs are appropriate- Highland Park and Battery Park, what up!).
Where do you live now?
I have lived in Atlanta, GA since 1998, and specifically the southside of the Metro area since 2001.
Where did you go to school?
So for laughs, I will take you way back. Cinderella Day Care; John B. Cary Elementary (C-A-R-Y spells Cary…), Thomas H. Henderson Middle School (go War-riors) and Richmond Community High School (our mascot was the Pharoahs, which I know is so nerdy, but probably captured just how nerdy we were!).
College years: started at North Carolina A&T State University (Aggie Pride), but had too much fun and partying, so I transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University (2009 CAA Tournament Champions and the victors over Dook in the 2007 NCAA Tournament) back home and earned my Bachelor of Science in Sociology.
Any family?
Everyone has family! I have been married to the most beautiful person in the world since 1998 and we have two great daughters codenamed Frick & Frack (hey if Malia and Sasha can get codenames, can’t my girls?)
My mom and dad live still live in Richmond where my sister and her husband, daughters and soon to be son are. I also have brothers and sisters that we have adopted into our family (shout-outs to the Fleming, Thompson, Hill, Fairweather, Boone, Eckford, Mitchell and Blake/Noakes clans). And because I am a southerner, the extended family network is BANANAS, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa’s parents having14 kids each. And no, they weren’t Catholic or Mormon, just farming southerners!
What do you do?
I ran call centers for close to 10 years for companies such as BankofAmerica, MCI WorldCom and EarthLink. Now, I am a self-employed focusing on training, facilitation and coaching specifically in the areas of leadership, teamwork and strategic planning.
Do you attend church?
No. You don’t need to attend church to prove you believe in God. Just kidding, that was a flash back to my childhood. We regularly attend services on Sunday morning like most southern families.
Any favorite quotes?
Three. There are probably more, but these are the ones that mean the most to me at this stage of life.
“I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I’m not”- Kurt Cobain
“Success is becoming who God wants us to be.”- Craig Groeschel
“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not disgrace to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for.” –
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays
Any other favorite team other than the Tarheels?
You mean there exist other teams? Just kidding.
• NFL- Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers. Two? Yes! I grew up a Steelers fan, but have cheered for the Falcons since I moved here in 1998.
• NBA- Atlanta Hawks. But they can break your heart.
• NHL- Not a big hockey fan, but I follow the local skaters, Atlanta Thrashers.
• MLB- New York Yankees. And you thought I would say Braves, didn’t you? Don’t like the Braves at all, think Bobby Cox should have been gone years ago. Plus some of my favorites werent treated well here: Brian Jordan, Gary Sheffield. So yes, I am a fan of the Evil Empire.
Favorite Vacation Spots
Outer Banks, NC- the Corolla, Duck side, not Nags Head.
Cannon Beach, OR- first time there was 2008, great place and a friend runs the best hotel there, The Ocean Lodge.