Oldest of six children in a blessed home. Attended grade school at Good Shepard and St. Pius X Catholic schools and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1984. I graduated from Bishop Lynch HS in 1987. I enjoyed my high school years participating in Football, Wrestling and Track, along with Art and Science Clubs. I am so blessed to have been honored by my high school with the 2019 Alumni of Year recipient. After graduation, I wrestled at Labette College in Parsons, KS for three years and GTE Academic All American. In 1993 I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
Along the way, in 1985, I enlisted in the US Army Reserves at 17 years old with parents’ consent on Christmas Eve. Best present ever. I retired off active duty status after 32 years of service as a Major in Field Artillery in the US Army on December 01, 2017; Awardee of various medals: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, NCO Development Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medial, Drill Sergeant Badge, Rifleman Badge Expert, St. Barbara Order of Field Artillerymen, IRON MIKE Award: Drill Sergeant of the Year, General Douglas McArthur Leadership Award Finalist in the 95th Division and Training Command Commander’s Challenge Coin Awardee
I was the Head Coach for wrestling at Bishop Lynch High School from 1993 to 2010 on a Local/State/National Level; formed a local youth wrestling club and served as the Head Coach for 10 years. Dallas Morning News – 2x Coach of the Year, TAPPS 6A Coach of the Year USA Wrestling from 2000 to 2010. #18 HS Team of the Decade; 16 TX State Championships TAPPS, HS All Americans 30+, HS State Champions 100+, 350 + Team Dual Victories; Bishop Lynch Sports Hall of Fame Member – Wrestling
Currently works in the ER at Medical City Dallas as a NREMT Paramedic. I have a passion for scouting as an Assistance Scoutmaster for Troop 746 and Circle Ten Merit Badge Counselor; Scouting has brought so much accomplishment and reward. My oldest son, Joseph, is an Eagle Scout. I have been blessed with a national recognition of the National Distinguished Eagle Scout of the Year and James E West Fellow Award. I enjoy volunteering in various capacities for St. Pius X, sports clubs, chess clubs, scouting, and the flag placements at the National Cemetery for Veterans.
My wife, Rebecca, and I met in the Dallas Fire Academy and have been married for 21 years. We have three beautiful children living in East Dallas.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We are a family of five. My wife, Rebecca, works for Dallas Fire and Rescue as a Fire Arson Investigator, Joseph is a Junior attending Southern Methodist University studying double majors in Data Science and Data Statistics with a minor in Spanish, Cristina is a High School Junior, animal advocate with huge art ambitions in life, and John is an Eighth Grader with big gamer skills and future military dreams of becoming an Aviation Pilot. I must include our rescue pets, Jupiter, Apollo, Oliver, Lou and Lilly
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Military, Fire Department and Paramedic. Military: At the age of 17, my career started by enlisting in the US Army as a Cannon Crewman, becoming a Drill Sergeant with the 95th Training Division in Ft. Sill, OK. I applied for Officer Candidate School; completed training at Ft. Benning, GA and commissioned in Field Artillery. I returned to Ft. Sill, OK as a Battalion Execute Officer, Battery Commander, and Battery Executive Officer. Upon promotion to Major, I followed an opportunity to return to active duty at Ft. Hood, TX as an Exercise Project Officer on a Task Force with the First Army and 75th Division; I worked with deploying units during Operation Inherent Resolve, Global War on Terrorism, Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. After 32 years of service and promotable to Lt. Colonel, I had two pulmonary embolisms which lead to a medical retirement. I thoroughly loved being an Army Man. Fire Department: I enjoyed the opportunities while employed with the Dallas Fire Department, the Coppell Fire Department and finishing up my career as a Sachse Fire Department Fire Fighter. The training, firefighting and long term brotherhood have been outstanding. Earning a Unit Citation Life Saving Award, Educational Degree Award, Wellness Excellence, and Service Award tenth year. Medical: I currently work at Medical City Dallas in the Emergency Room as a NREMT Licensed Paramedic since 2012. I have certifications in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support / Pediatric Advanced Life Support / Basic Life Support Programs, along with Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support /Advanced Medical Life Support . Also, I belong to the Community Emergency Response Team certification with the Dallas Office of Emergency Management as a volunteer since February 2018. Working in the ER is the best job in the stage of my life. The coworkers, staff, people, patients, and friendships are a blessing. I enjoy helping others and supporting their care to get well soon. What I love most about all my careers is the opportunities to provide the circle of support with exceptional achievement in any chosen career that would make my family and coworkers alike very proud. I enjoy being a professional, mentor, volunteer, parishioner and above all… a loving husband and father. Yet, I want to continuously distinguish myself with continued long term commitment to the communities. Through my traditions as an Eagle Scout, integrity as a Fire Fighter, service from the Military and passionate care as a Paramedic, … I hope to have and will have sterling examples for others to follow. I enjoy all works of my life in arduous efforts to help others excel in qualities of leadership, expertise, selfless service, trustworthy, and kindness.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Terilli’s, Campisis’, Blacks BBQ, Texas de Brazil, Dairyette, Benihanna’s
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Outside of colleges in Kansas and Nacogdoches, TX, with several military active-duty assignments at Ft. Sill, OK or Ft. Hood, TX…all my life! My first job was Jack in the Box 1984. LOL
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Ross Perot
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Hawaii. “Do I need to explain?” So much history, so many beaches, great variety of food, daily fishing, perfect yearly weather, healthiest place around and the Army’s Schofield Barracks Base for my military fix!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movie: Rocky III. TV Show: PTI Pardon the Interruption
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Continue to focus on the following; Faith, Family, Fitness, Finance, Friends and Food LOL
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Attend a Dallas Cowboy “away” game.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Van Halen
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Warren Buffet. He has a wealth of financial understandings towards ones’ self-obligations in life. His ambitions to be successful would provide the knowledge to pass onward to my family for their future. And that’s what it is all about…” family’s future and kids’ success”. As such, he is from Nebraska, as too my father, so there would be some good off topic conversations. Lunch: Dairyette and I would pick up the tab.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The diversity of cultures; the people, places, events it draws to the East Dallas areas. Food Markets, Healthy annual events, and great atmospheres to gather in one place. For example: White Rock Lake – my therapy!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself continuously being involved in family and community support activities. I enjoy working in the Emergency Room at Medical City Dallas, so I see myself still working; In ten years, I would hope to be an empty nester so, the freedom of doing just want I want to do is in the mix. LOL. Perhaps a few trips of interest and living out my best days.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am a passionate Chess player, avid world news watcher and very involved in Fantasy Football.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Rome, Italy
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
September. Thanksgiving. Sunday.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My Family
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Vanilla Bean and BBQ
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
“Just keep moving” or “there is no tomorrow”
