I am somewhat of a recent transplant here in Mukwonago, I grew up in Waukesha and graduated from Waukesha South High School. After college, I met my wife Karie in Alton IL, and in June of 1998, we got married and began an amazing life together. After living in Columbus OH, back in Waukesha, up to Appleton WI, and then out to Salem OR, we moved to Mukwonago in the summer of 2016 and have absolutely loved being a part of this community. One of our goals, when we moved to Mukwonago, was to not only live in a great place to raise our kids, but we also wanted to be in a community where we could make a difference. Mukwonago has given us that opportunity. For me, it is with the church that I work at, and for my wife, it is being a teacher in the Mukwonago School District.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Karie and I have been married for 25 years and we have been blessed with 4 kids and our first grandchild on the way. Our oldest son Tyler lives in the Portland OR area with his wife Lexi where he is a product designer and they are expecting their first child (my granddaughter) in May. Our daughter Lauren, who graduated from Mukwonago High School, lives in Greenfield and is a Nurse at Waukesha Memorial Hospital on the heart care floor. Our other daughter Kendyl, also a Mukwonago graduate, lives in Greenfield (with her sister) and currently is attending UW Milwaukee and pursuing her degree in Psychology. Our youngest son, Calvin, is a sophomore at Mukwonago High School and loves playing soccer and is about to get his driver’s license, so watch out!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am currently the Creative Arts Pastor at Brooklife Church here in Mukwonago. Just in case you are like a lot of people who wonder what that means, I oversee all the creative aspects of what our church does. That entails being involved with our music, video production, graphic design, technical production, communications and leading amazing teams of volunteers who make all that stuff happen. I have had the privilege of being in this roll at a few different churches and what I love most about it, is being a part of something where people give their time and talents to collectively make a difference in our world. It’s so much fun to wake up every day and get to do something you really love. I am definitely blessed!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
David Allan Allan’s, Sol De Mexico and I would be remiss to not add Culver’s to the list
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived in Mukwonago for almost 7 years and I have worked here at Brooklife in Mukwonago that same amount of time.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know so many interesting people in our community, but right now I am going to say my friend Scott Graham. He always has some crazy story to tell about when he was younger.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
There are so many… but I was recently reading about Bali, Indonesia and it looks amazing! So many different things to see and experience. Look it up, you’ll want to go there too.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movies: Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick TV Shows: 24, Survivor, anything sports related
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Quit dwelling on the past, what’s done is done. The only thing you can change is your future. Make wise decisions, make time for your family and make the most of life, because it goes by fast.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Play golf in Scotland/Ireland with my dream foursome. My Dad and my 2 boys.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Toto. As far as bands go it’s hard to find a group of more talented musicians.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Fork In the Road. Just a great representation of all that is Mukwonago.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I’m a big golf fan, so I would say Tiger Woods. We’d have lunch at Hickory Sticks out at Morningstar and then tee it up. I would love to talk to him about successes and failures in life and how he has navigated through those.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love our location. There are so many cool things to do. Access to Milwaukee and all that it has to offer. The many lakes that are nearby. The great golf courses that are within driving distance. All of that so close while living in a small community.
Q: What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
One of things that I love most about my job at Brooklife Church is that we want to make a positive impact in our community. We are very involved with events that happen in our community, we partner with our schools to help whenever we can and we offer programming that adds value to our community. I feel very privileged to be a part of that and help make a difference in the lives of people in Mukwonago.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself being a part of the local church and using my talents and gifts to bring people together to serve others.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
When I was younger I was fascinated with magic and thought I would be a magician.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
When we lived in Oregon our family hiked the Oneonta Gorge. It was beautiful!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
July, Easter, December 25th
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A week up north at the cabin, on the lake, with my family.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My Dad. He has done life right.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Cinnamon Pretzels when you walk by Auntie Anne’s at the mall.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, Fun, Blessed
