Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1541367
NOVEMBER 2025 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 53 How did you get into this industry specifically? I originally attended Westwood College in Arling- ton, Virginia, to pursue a degree in construction management, with the dream of becoming an archi- tect. My projected graduation date was 2008, but if you are around my age or older, you remember what happened to the housing market in 2008–09. I envisioned graduating with a degree and a ton of student debt, and trying to enter a job market/ industry that was completely drowning. My father (and my grandfather) had spent their entire adult lives in the PCB industry, so I decided to pivot to the PCB industry. My father's words, "You cannot go one day without using a circuit board," created a sense of future job security. So, I fell into the family fold as a third-generation PCB technologist and never looked back. What are some of the things you are most proud of in your career? First and foremost, I am most proud of being the first male in my family to attend and complete col- lege, which helped catapult me into this industry. Beyond that, it was the realization from the onset (and I am reminded daily) of the work we do to sup- port our nation and our warfighters. There is much more to circuit boards than just TVs, alarm clocks, and consumer gadgets. There is this entire subset of electronics that is interesting and, to work hands- on with these applications—back then and even to today—brings me a sense of pride. What are some of your proudest personal mile- stones? Winning the Technology Achievement Award for the entire Fairfax County School System, leading an undefeated, championship-winning basketball team, the birth of my son, and obtaining my college degree round out my top four. You are a busy professional with a family. What do you do in your spare time to create a work-life bal- ance? I am a sports fanatic—admittedly, more on the spec- tator side than a participant these days—but I still lace up my "sneaks" and jump into pick-up games to remind myself (and these youngsters) that I've still got it. I love to write poetry. I have had numer- ous poems published throughout the years, and it helps to clean the slate for my professional writing. I also consider myself a novice pitmaster. I can pre- pare any kind of meat on various cooking mediums and find joy in my family and friends enjoying the food I prepare. The rest of my hobbies are around my kids and their activities.