Home: Kansas City, MO; Miami, FL. Age: 35. Profession: Entrepreneur. Organization: Premier Air Conditioning. Title: Executive Vice President. Alma mater: Duke University (’08). Languages spoken: English, Spanish.
Recent professional development: Joining the governing board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City. Latest accomplishment: Finished 5k with PR time! Hobbies: Woodworking, gardening, reading, golf, running. Last book read: Open Water, by Caleb Azumah Nelson. Recently viewed and recommended: The Morning Show, Ted Lasso (Apple TV+). Next trip planned: Sweden and The Netherlands. Or maybe Colombia!
Personality profile: Passionate, driven, and always with a smile. Moral compass: Stoicism. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Founded on trust that is built from total openness and honesty. What natural talent have you neglected? Writing. How do you relieve stress? Manual labor around the house. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Chunks of unstructured and unplanned time.
What book have you repeatedly read? The Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday. What’s featured prominently on your office wall? Multiple pictures of my family. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Shawshank Redemption. What is your favorite app? Instagram – a guilty pleasure! What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The Great Recession – I graduated in 2008, and have had to contend with it ever since.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Supporting the growth of the pipeline from trade schools and vocational programs to industry. What mega-trend most excites you? The reshaping of higher education. What mega-trend most concerns you? The erosion of journalism and news platforms.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Edward Norton. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An astronaut. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? One giant party with my entire family. What advice would you give your younger self? It all gets better in time. What day in your life would you like to re-live? Hiking to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in the cliffsides of Bhutan.
Favorite quote: “Death tugs at my ear and says, 'Live. I am coming'" (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.). Desired epitaph: Left everything better than he found it.
