I am a Class of 1992 Mukwonago graduate and except for a few years of military service and college (UW-Milwaukee) I have called Mukwonago home. Although we didn’t start dating until after high school, I met my wife in seventh grade science class at Park View Middle School. Seven years of dating, marriage, and two young kids later, we moved back to Mukwonago to be closer to my in-laws and raise our kids in the Mukwonago School District. I am a State of Wisconsin employee responsible for construction oversight on state construction projects and spend my free time building wood working projects in my garage or hiking / kayaking with my wife. I have had the opportunity and pleasure of coaching in the Braves Program for several years, watching the players and program grow. I am a devoted Christian and attend Brooklife Church here in Mukwonago.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Nicki and I have been married almost twenty-three years and have been blessed with two children that are now adults. Our daughter, Abby, is finishing up her senior year at UW Madison and our son, Max, started his freshman year at the University of Minnesota this Fall. Honestly, we live a relatively simple lifestyle and enjoy each other’s company more than anything. We have a close relationship with Nicki’s parents and their home is the gathering place for family events. Whether it’s Sunday dinner or lounging around the pool during the summer months, you can find us there nearly every weekend.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Construction. From starting as a carpenter laborer working my way through college to a project manager in residential and commercial building construction, I have been in the construction industry for the last twenty-five years. It is who I was made to be. Currently, I am one of twelve Construction Representatives for the State of Wisconsin providing construction oversight on state construction projects. Out of all the positions that I have held in my career, there is love in the challenge of coordinating and managing the construction process, but the real love has been being part of a team, building someone’s dream or idea and being able to stand back at the end of the day able to say, “I helped build that”. It drives my family nuts when we drive past a project or house I helped build.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
We have a few to choose from but my go to is always Antiqua Real on a Friday date night with Nicki. I’m also a big fan of Sol De Mexico for breakfast with my buddy, Jason. David Alan Alan’s is our spot for a family dinner night.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Moving from Iowa in 1986, I lived here until I left for boot camp in 1992. Eventually, after the military, college, and a few years of buying / selling our homes, we planted our feet back in North Prairie in 2005-ish to be closer to my wife’s family in North Prairie and raise our kids in a school district we were comfortable with.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
If I must pick just one, which anyone will tell you is extremely difficult after being in this community for so long, it would be Darrell Cottrell. A great teacher and coach who always has a story, a lesson, or some funny comment. Let’s not forget that loud deep voice that carries for miles.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to be a tourist in Washington DC for at least a couple of weeks to take in all the sites and appreciate our nation’s history.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
So many to choose from but I will go with “The Empire Strikes Back”. That movie, seeing it as a child, molded my imagination and creativity for the rest of my life.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Give more than you take. Turn off the news and get to know the people around you for who they are and not what you think they represent. Seek out and find your peace. Look at things from other perspectives. Read more books than watching the screens. Take chances. Learn from mistakes. Pray often.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
The list always changes but the newest on the list is I’m thinking about walking the Appalachian Trail one week a year once I turn fifty to see how far I can get before I die.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Without question, The Black Crowes.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I’m not sure what it’s called now but back in the day it was The Honey Bear Restaurant. My first job was there as a dishwasher and busboy where I met and worked with some great people.
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?
Marcus Luttrell, US Navy Seal who wrote the book Lone Survivor based on the events of Operation Red Wing in 2005. I would love to have conversations about his training and leadership, the operation, and the sheer will it takes to survive what he went through. I feel like we would meet at Sandy’s Miller Time.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing in our community is Mukwonago Football, from the Braves program to the MHS Indians. The coaches, players, families, and fans make our football program something special. Unique? Well, there is the big black car that always seems to be parked in the parking lot across the street from Citizen’s Bank, just north of Fork in the Road.
Q: What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
I’m not sure I have an answer for that other than I have used some of my time to help at our church, Brooklife, at times and have helped coach in the Braves Football program. Not sure if I would qualify either of those as making things better.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Still happily married and watching my kids continue to figure out the world. I would like to think we will travel more and maybe have a dog or two.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I got ordained and officiated a wedding. I have seen Weird Al Yankovic in concert many times.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Sunrise on the Atlantic Ocean, standing morning aft watch on the way home from a Mediterranean Tour in the Navy.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
October for the crisp and cool Autumn air. Memorial Day for my WWII Veteran grandfather. Opening Day gun season for the time with one of my best friends.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Obviously, my wife because there’s a chance she will read this but my relationship with Jesus is my 10 out of 10.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids. They both have such a drive and dedication to their passions. They teach me to look at the world from a different perspective. The world is changing, and they help me change with it.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Rain on wet leaves in the Fall and clean sheets.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A place you can be completely open and honest without judgement. A place where people are always happy to see you. A place that you can relax and get away from all the chaos in the world.
