Although I was raised in Franklin, WI, Mukwonago has always held a special place in my heart. I grew up here hunting and fishing with my grandfather. When I went to college at UW-Whitewater this is the town that drew my wife Jennifer and I in. Everytime we’d come through Mukwonago we talked about moving here someday. Well, twenty-five years later we are still here and still love this town.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Jennifer and I met in High School and were married shortly after graduating college at UW Whitewater. We have three children all at Mukwonago High School. Frankie (18) is a Senior, Caleb (17) a Junior, and Celene (14) a Freshman. As many people know we adopted all three kids locally and love the fact that we have an extended family with the kids birth mothers and their families.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am currently the Director of Enterprise Risk Management for the National Roofing Contractors Association. A glorified name for Safety Director. The unique part of this job is that I’m dealing with safety for the entire industry, not just one company. One of the most exciting parts of my job is that I frequent Washington to develop and establish laws and regulations with lawmakers that can affect the roofing industry. It makes for exciting debates and discussions with those in charge at OSHA, NIOSH, the CDC and others.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love Hickory Sticks at Morningstar Golf Course and I don’t think my daughter Celene and I could survive without the Fork in the Road’s Mac’n’Cheese.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My wife Jennifer and I moved here shortly after we were married 25+ years ago.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I don’t think I could name just one. The community has so many great people, but I will say that the sports community in Mukwonago has offered me some memorable and long-lasting relationships. The generosity of the parent coaches and volunteers is endless. You just don’t see that everywhere.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Our family has a goal of seeing every state in America before the kids go away to college. As Americans we’re so quick to want to visit other countries without ever realizing what we have here. We’re getting close to achieving our goal. With only a handful of states left for the kids we are planning on some exciting adventures this summer.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I’m a big fan of The Goldbergs. The first few seasons reminded me of my childhood.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Family is bigger than those that live under your roof. Family is who and what you make it.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Although I’ve been hunting all around the US, I would love to go on some of these adventures with the rest of my family.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
U2. Without a doubt they are one of my favorites.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Pick’n’Save. I grew up hunting right in the location where it is located. My grandfather and I used to park directly across the road from Parkview Middle School and hunt. I still pass by remembering some of the adventures that my grandfather and I had.
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 would love to sit down with Volodymyr Zelensky. His shear defiance of a seemingly invincible Russian army for the rights and freedoms of his country has been inspirational. I’d love to let him know that America is behind him although it’s not always apparent. Sitting out on the deck at Hickory Sticks (Morningstar Golf Course) would be my choice for a nice quiet setting for the lunch.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the Sporting Community within Mukwonago. Parents in our community step up all the time. I’ve seen more parent volunteers step up in this community as volunteer coaches. I know personally it’s been one of my biggest joys about Mukwonago. Coaching all my own kids throughout the years in soccer, football, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse has led me to meet some pretty incredible individuals in our community.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
It’s somewhat scary to say, but I’m actually getting to the age where retirement is a consideration. Besides travelling more with my wife Jennifer, I see myself staying at our place up north for longer periods of time. Of course, we’d never leave Mukwonago. It will always be HOME!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m an open book. So there’s not much that people don’t know about me. One story that stands out is that I was the first youth fisherman to catch a fish during the Milwaukee county fishing project. My grandfather helped me to skip out of school. (I apparently was too sick to go to school.) Unfortunately, for me I made the news and was in the newspaper. My principal at that time, Richard Plades an avid hunter and fisherman himself, called me down to his office the next morning and although I was in trouble told me that he would have done the same thing given the chance.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Glacier National Park was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. Years ago, Jennifer and I took our churches youth group on a mission trip. We took the group to the Blackfoot Indian Reservation in MT. by train. We were able to see places in the park that could only be seen by train.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I love November. Fall is one of my favorites times of the year. My favorite holiday is Christmas. It’s a great time for family and friends to get together to celebrate birth of Christ. The best single day on the calendar September 3. It’s the day my wife and I first kissed and a day that started a new adventure for our friendship.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My wife Jennifer who is my rock.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My uncle with special needs, Uncle Gary,has always inspired me to be my best. Whether it’s words of encouragement or just his optimistic view of life, he’s always been an inspiration to me and my family.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Fresh cut grass or a fire in the fireplace.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
FAMILY, FAITH, and MUKWONAGO.
