Introduction: You Carry Places With You

Some people grow up in one place their whole life. One house, one school, one hometown. That wasn’t me.

I moved a lot as a kid. Not across the world—but enough to always feel like I was starting over. From the quiet streets of Cave City, Kentucky, to the tropical breeze of Islamorada in the Florida Keys, then up to Cape Coral for high school, and finally to Gainesville, where I earned my degree and built my adult life.

Every one of these places taught me something. And when I look back now—through the lens of a community leader, coach, and father figure to many—I see how each town carved a layer of who I am.

Cave City, Kentucky: Learning to Make Do

Cave City was small. Real small. The kind of place where the local gas station was a social hub and everybody knew your last name.

Life was simple there, but not easy. We didn’t have a lot of money, and I remember watching my parents hustle just to keep things going. That’s where I learned how to stretch a dollar and find joy in the little things—fishing at the lake, riding bikes, shooting hoops on cracked pavement.

Cave City taught me resourcefulness. There weren’t a lot of distractions or luxuries. You made your own fun. You earned your keep. And you treated people right, because sooner or later, you were going to see them again.

Those early lessons in humility and hard work stuck with me. They still show up in how I run nonprofit programs today—stretching every dollar, making it count, and remembering that impact doesn’t always come with a price tag.

Islamorada, Florida Keys: Adventure, Risk, and Family

Moving to the Keys was like stepping into a new world. Suddenly, I was surrounded by water, boats, and that salty air that never really leaves your skin.

This is where my family started Twistee Treat—the iconic cone-shaped ice cream stand that still makes people smile today. It was also where I became one of the youngest ever to pass the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary tests. At the time, I didn’t realize how rare that was. I just knew I loved the water and wanted to be useful.

The Keys gave me independence. I was trusted to take responsibility early—whether it was helping in the family business or staying sharp during safety patrols. I also started to understand risk. Boats break down. Storms roll in. Things go wrong. You learn to think ahead, adapt, and work together.

And though the Keys felt like paradise on the surface, they were also a place where I saw how hard my parents worked behind the scenes. That planted the seeds of entrepreneurship in me—but more importantly, it gave me deep respect for anyone building something from scratch.

Cape Coral: Coming of Age

Cape Coral is where I went to high school—four years that feel like a blur of late-night football games, homework, band practice (I played the trumpet), and a growing awareness that life was a lot bigger than my own front yard.

It was also a time of personal change. My parents divorced. Things weren’t always smooth at home. But Cape Coral gave me space to figure things out. I met mentors. I started to write. I got my first taste of leadership in classrooms and on the field.

Cape Coral taught me resilience. I began to realize that pain and progress often go hand in hand. You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond.

Those were the years that shaped my empathy—a trait I lean on every day now as a coach and board member. You never know what someone’s carrying. So be kind. And show up.

Gainesville: Where It All Came Together

Gainesville wasn’t just a place—it was a turning point. I came here to attend the University of Florida, and I never really left.

This is where I earned my degree. Where I started coaching lacrosse. Where I built a nonprofit (GALAXI) to help underserved kids find confidence through sport. It’s also where I now serve on the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority Board, helping make decisions that shape the city’s future.

Gainesville gave me purpose. It’s where I realized that leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room—it’s about service. It’s about doing the hard, often invisible work that holds communities together.

This city has enough energy to keep things moving and enough heart to keep you grounded. It’s big enough to matter, but small enough to feel like home.

I owe Gainesville more than just a diploma. I owe it a life I love.

The Places That Built Me

Cave City gave me grit.
Islamorada gave me courage.
Cape Coral gave me growth.
Gainesville gave me direction.

Every place added a layer. Every move was a step toward becoming the man I needed to be—especially when I didn’t have a strong father figure to show me the way.

I learned from people, yes. But I also learned from the landscapes, the streets, the communities that held me.

That’s why, today, I try to return the favor. As a coach. As a board member. As a neighbor. As a voice for kids who may be growing up in the same way I did—carrying more questions than answers.

Your Roots Aren’t a Limitation—They’re a Foundation

You don’t have to come from one perfect place to build a meaningful life. Sometimes, being shaped by many places gives you a broader view—and a deeper well of empathy.

I’m grateful for every zip code, every detour, every memory.

Because the places that built me? They built a man committed to building something better for others.