From a young age, I played with Legos and liked to draw castle floor plans. Not realizing this then, I was setting the stage for my love for architecture. Growing up in rural Missouri, I appreciated learning about different cultures and seeing the work of the Renaissance masters. For college, I started at Johnson County Community College, and there, I was instantly drawn to art and architectural history.

Upon transferring to the University of Kansas, I worked at a dining hall and the student housing carpenter shop while attending college. Being married to a chef and working numerous food service jobs throughout the years, I learned to understand restaurant design from the worker’s point of view. That perspective helped me later when I started my career in architecture and got to do C-Stores and QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) projects.

Outside of work, I practice and teach karate and spend time with my two children and wonderful wife!