I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and after serving over 23 years in the U.S. Navy, I settled in the Venice/Englewood area in 2010. I married my wife, Dana, in 2013, and we are a blended family. We recently became empty nesters.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founded Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center in Englewood in 2017, where I focus on helping adolescents, adults, couples, and veterans navigate anxiety, trauma, depression, and life transitions with compassionate, grounded support.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked in corporate leadership and training, and as a school counselor; these experiences continue to shape my practical, down-to-earth approach to helping others.
What is your most marked or distinctive characteristic?
Probably my ability to stay grounded and calm when life gets heavy. People often tell me they feel safe opening up because I meet them without judgment and without trying to “fix” them too quickly.
What do you most value in your friends?
Authenticity, loyalty, and the ability to have real conversations. I value people who show up consistently and can laugh, struggle, and grow honestly together.
Who are your favorite writers?
I’m drawn to writers who speak honestly about resilience, meaning, and human nature—people like Viktor Frankl, C.S. Lewis, and Ernest Hemingway. I appreciate writing that feels grounded, thoughtful, and deeply human.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Atticus Finch. Calm under pressure, guided by integrity, and willing to stand firm for what is right even when it’s unpopular.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Abraham Lincoln. Not because of politics, but because of his resilience, humility, and ability to carry responsibility through difficult times while still holding compassion for people.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Veterans, first responders, teachers, parents quietly sacrificing for their families, and people who survive hardship without losing their humanity. I also deeply respect those who ask for help when life becomes overwhelming—that takes real courage.
What are your favorite names?
I tend to like timeless, grounded names—James, Grace, Daniel, Claire, and names connected to family history and meaning rather than trends.
What is it that you most dislike?
Dishonesty, arrogance, and people making others feel small. I also dislike how disconnected and rushed the world can feel sometimes.
What is your greatest regret?
Spending periods of my life believing I had to carry everything alone instead of letting people support me. Strength matters, but connection does too.
What is your motto?
“You’re not broken—you’re human.”
Life can wound us, but healing often begins when we stop treating ourselves like problems to solve and start treating ourselves with honesty and compassion.
Every edition, Englewood REVIEW spotlights someone who stands out in the community. We ask each person to tackle The Proust Questionnaire; a classic set of questions created by Marcel Proust, the French writer.
