I was born and raised in the great state of California. I moved around many times in my youth and adolescence. By the time I was 15 years old, I had lived in 15 different cities in southern California. Despite not being in the same home, I was privileged to have two loving parents in my life. However, the most influential people in my life growing up were my maternal grandparents. My grandparents were the most stable and reliable people in my life. They took a lot of time, effort and interest in my development. They taught me to be articulate and cultured me by exposing me to experiences that I would not myself have. 

I loved and played most sports throughout my youth. However, I received my highest accolades in high school football and track and field. I was fortunate enough to receive five division I scholarship offers. However, I opted to take an academic scholarship to my older sister's Alma Mater, Dillard University. A historical black college/university located in New Orleans, LA. It was there that I would spend the next 7 years of my life.

While at Dillard University, I wrote sports for the university newspaper and interned for major media corporations three separate times over the course of my college career.  When my time there was over, not only did I leave with a Bachelor's of the Arts in Mass Communications and Journalism, but I left with something that I always wanted; life-long friends. 

After college, I was a high school sports writer for the Asheville Citizen-Times in Asheville, North Carolina. I truly enjoyed the experiences I had there; both as a young professional, and as a young adult navigating the pitfalls of life. It was also there that I realized my love of sport and my strength in writing were not going to be fulfilled as a sports writer. So, I decided to move to Texas and pursue a career in education, where I could teach young people to love expression through language arts and nurture my love of sport by coaching. Since 2006, I have been doing just that and I haven't looked back! 

As I look back on my time in education, I take great pride in the young men and women that I have positively influenced over almost 20 years in education. However, my greatest joy and accomplishment will always be the partnership I share with my wife of 14 years, Teri, and my two wonderful boys. My eight-year-old son, JET, is a brave young man who navigates the social struggles that comes with being autistic. His intelligence, kind-heart and optimism continue to inspire me. My youngest son, Ace, is a rowdy four-year-old whose determination and confidence are a constant source of hope and excitement as I watch his life's journey unfold. Everything I do is for them. My desire to be a good husband and father guides all my decisions.