Project Engineer and Student of Life and Balance

Do you have a hobby? Tell us about it.
One hobby I enjoy that plays to one of my strengths is that I enjoying restoring vehicles. I love taking time to figure out and fix vehicles I like and it’s something my dad taught me. Restoring cars plays to my strengths in problem solving and my minor in mechanical engineering. I’ve restored a 1969 Ford Mustang, a 1997 Toyota Tacoma, a 1983 Porsche 944, and my current project is a 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo.

What is your chosen discipline (engineering, planning, surveying, etc)? Why do you love it?
My chosen discipline is engineering and specifically the Water Department. Water is vital to life and my job makes sure that it is delivered to all of us safely and efficiently, and then taken away to be treated. I love engineering in the water department because I’m presented with complex problems and issues and can provide clear and efficient solutions to those issues. Then I get to go out into the field and observe construction of the solutions. I love being able to see the whole picture for the projects I work on.

If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
I think that the best knowledge I’ve gained was through hard work, but if I could snap my fingers and become an expert in the culinary arts I think that would have some serious daily benefits. I mean being able to make fabulous dishes and not have to suffer through learning the hard way would be nice. Would I treat all my co-workers to extravagant lunchtime meals? Probably not, but food is best enjoyed with others so maybe my favorite ones would get some tasty treats.

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
“The Adventures of an Average Nerd” Well simply put I’ve been a nerd for longer than it was cool to be considered a nerd. My adventures in life haven’t been extraordinary but they have been quite humorous. I would detail my successes of nerd-ing kind and my MANY hilarious mishaps and misadventures as I navigated my way through adolescence.

What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?
BALANCE. Balance in my mind is something that can never be fully mastered but can continuously be learned and improved upon. Balancing one’s life I think is essential to happiness and lasting success. With work, a wonderful wife, 3 great kids, hobbies, friends, and all those TV shows people talk about, balance is quite challenging but it is something I’m happy to keep learning.