The Professional:

I never intended to become the person in the room asking, "But what if we did something bigger?" 

And yet, here we are. 

I've spent my career helping communities, developers, Tribal Nations, agencies, and landowners navigate the wonderfully messy process of turning ideas into reality. Sometimes that means designing infrastructure. Sometimes it means solving impossible problems. Sometimes it means helping twenty people with competing priorities find a path forward without anyone throwing a chair. 

What I love most about this work is that no two days are ever the same. One day I'm talking about floodplains, utility systems, and roadway alignments. The next I'm discussing economic development strategies, community visioning, funding opportunities, or how to keep a project moving when everyone feels stuck. 

At its core, engineering isn't really about roads, pipes, or grading plans. 

It's about possibility. 

It's about creating opportunities for communities to grow, businesses to thrive, families to gather, and future generations to build something even better than what we started. 

I've learned that great projects rarely happen because one person has all the answers. They happen when people stay curious, work hard, listen well, and care enough to keep showing up when things get complicated. 

Fortunately, complicated is my favorite kind of project. 

The Inner Flame:

I am powered almost entirely by curiosity, optimism, and the belief that people are generally capable of extraordinary things when someone believes in them. 

I love mentoring emerging professionals, connecting people who should know each other, and helping others see opportunities they may not recognize in themselves yet. There is very little that makes me happier than watching someone gain confidence and realize they're capable of more than they thought. 

Outside of work, you'll usually find me chasing adventures, planning the next trip, spending time with family and friends, or saying "yes" to something that seemed like a good idea five minutes earlier. 

I firmly believe every person has a story worth hearing, every community has something worth protecting, and every project gets better when people are willing to bring their whole selves to the table. 

Life has taught me that technical expertise matters. 

So do kindness, humor, resilience, and grace. 

And while engineering may be what I do, building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping people succeed is what I care about most. 

Also, for the record, if a meeting can be improved with coffee, snacks, or a little laughter, I consider that a valid project management strategy.