What is the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice I've ever gotten was actually a quote from a Calvin and Hobbes strip I read out of The Complete Calvin and Hobbes Collection:

“We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are.” - Calvin and Hobbes, April 17th, 1988. 

Who has been the most significant influence in your career?

The most significant influence in my career would probably have to be my former boss, Elizabeth Watson, at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She is currently the Executive Director and founder of the Center for Inclusive Transition, Education, and Employment at UW-W and priorly the Dean of Students. She Made a big impact on my development and really showed how far I could go while empowering me to turn the lowly gaming club I had started my freshman year into a nationally competitive varsity esports program.

Favorite holiday/ vacation destination and why?

I've always been an advocate for getting into the wilderness, and as tiring as it is, I absolutely love hiking. My current favorite place would have to be Sleeping Giant Provincial Park which I hiked this last summer (picture attached). It was a challenging hike, but a mind-blowingly beautiful experience.

What music/artist are you currently listening to?

I listen to a bit of everything, I've been on a bit of an indie kick recently, but as a drummer myself I'd have to answer Louis Cole (also known from his band 'KNOWER'). Otherwise, this is probably cheating the question a bit but Alice in Chains has been frequenting my playlists ("Don't Follow" currently being my favorite from them).

Do you have any favorite sports teams?

Born and raised a Wisconsin sports fan 15 miles from Green Bay, WI, I am a proud Green Bay Packers fan. I'm also a big Milwaukee Bucks fan, and I used to play on the Milwaukee Bucks Drumline from 2019-2021 which was an incredible experience.

The last film you watched?

Dune 2! Great film, definitely did as much as they possibly could given how weirdly the source material is paced, but Villeneuve knocked this one out of the park cinematically.

Which Cities have you visited in the world? Which one is your favorite and why?

I've been lucky enough to visit Stockholm, Sweden; Cologne, Germany; Cancun, Mexico; Honolulu, Hawaii; and a variety of cities in the US over the short 23 years I've been on Earth. Of those, I'd have to say Stockholm, Sweden was definitely my favorite. Awesome subway system and tons of cool things to see. The people are quite nice and friendly once they warm up to you too. (Best food was in Cologne, Germany though, Doner Kebab from a Turkish foodstand is EXCELLENT).

What could you not live without?

I couldn't live without music. I've been a musician for most of my life, playing the upright bass in jazz, marching with drumlines through high school and college (and professionally with the Bucks Beats Drumline), and jamming on a drum set pretty much every day. It's an important outlet for me and I'm hoping I can start playing with a group again sometime soon!

What is your favorite thing about working at Azuga?

My favorite part about working at Azuga so far would have to be the people. Everyone I've worked with is incredibly excited about what they do and it's infectious. I'm lucky to call myself a new member of the team, and I'm excited to see where we can take Azuga.

What's a fun fact about you?

I absolutely love motorsports and I'm going to be competing in the 24 Hours of Lemons race series with some friends this summer in our 2005 Acura TL. I also work on the GRIDLIFE grassroots racing series broadcast team for fun as an audio engineer on and off, and I love making it out to rally and endurance racing events as a photographer.

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