Tell us about a hobby you have.
I grew up loving the outdoors, especially hunting, and this led me to a career in forestry. My hunting time in the past few years has been shortened by Little League and similar activities. Hunting was the sacred time that my dad, brother-in-law, and I shared. It has never really been about the hunt, but rather a good reason to get outdoors and enjoy nature. I look forward to passing this hobby on to my boys, and teaching them to enjoy and respect the outdoors.
Describe one of the highlights of your life.
Pam and I met through friends that had gone to college together. They decided to do some matchmaking, and set us up on a blind date at Claytor Lake. When I met Pam I knew right away that she was the woman I was going to marry.
Describe one of the biggest surprises of your life.
When we moved back to Fluvanna in 2001 I was expecting a similar community to the one I left in the mid-1980s. Instead we found a county that had gone through a total transformation. Fluvanna had turned into a large bedroom for other localities with the associated challenges. When you go back home you expect things to be just as you left them.
Describe one of the tragedies/struggles of your life.
Pam and I lost our daughter in 2004 to complications from a heart defect. We were lovingly supported during those days and months by a compassionate church family and a caring community that helped carry us forward. It is a tragedy that changes you forever, but it prepares you to witness and share with others that face similar adversities. You see these tragedies happen to your friends and neighbors, and you watch our community rally to support each other. This is one of the measures that make Fluvanna a great place to raise a family.
Describe a dream you have for your future.
I dream of making it across the finish line at work one day and having the time and good health to enjoy traveling with Pam, watching our boys grow into good men, and knowing that our life’s work was successful.
Describe a fear you have for your future
My fear has nothing to do with my future, but is rather for my children. We have seen Washington-style politics come to Richmond and more recently to Palmyra. We are quick to place labels on each other, either “R” or “D,” and leave little room for compromise or doing what is right for our country’s future. Our country’s overall financial health is indicative of this, and the finger-pointing that goes on. At the end of the day we are all responsible, regardless of our label, and finger-pointing is not productive.
Here’s your chance to sound off. If you could give one public service announcement or word of advice to the public at large, what would it be?
Pay it forward every chance you get. Fluvanna and its people were good to me growing up. Find your opportunity to serve our community through your church, a civic or volunteer organization, or through the county. I had the good fortune to take the Fluvanna Leadership Development Program class shortly after we moved back here, and then participate on the steering committee. I learned a good deal about the county and its decision makers through the process, and I also made some lifelong friends.
