I was born in Los Angeles California and my family relocated to Tennessee when I was 13 years old. As you can imagine, this was a culture shock, but I successfully made friends that I still have today. Graduating from the University of Tennessee turned my blood orange with hints of white.  

Sales and marketing were always my focus as my career took me to Tampa then to Satellite Beach where I met my wife who is a Gator fan. In 2008, we moved to Ocala to open a car dealership. She loved being so close to UF. We are now foster parents, have two boys of our own, and live on a family farm. At the dealership, I created a program where we hired many people reentering society from prison. They were hired as lot porters, detailers, and mechanics. I also trained two of my best employees to be sales managers. I learned how crucial programs like that and those offered by vocational rehabilitation and employU are to increase chances of success in the workforce for varying populations.  

I have known Keith Bourkney for a very long time and admired his passion and work ethic. I knew when he founded employU in 2012 the company would experience tremendous growth under his leadership. Finally, in 2016, I decided it was time to have a real conversation with Keith about joining his team to which he had me apply. We opened the Ocala office in March of 2017, followed by offices in Inverness, Gainesville, and Lake City. We have an amazing team from the leadership, job coaches, employment specialists, coordinators, and administrators.  I thank God daily for our adult employment services staff, amazing consumers, and our great partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation. I know this program truly makes a difference in people’s lives.