| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | One of my earliest memories is from around age 3, or maybe even 2. We lived on a Coast Guard base. I remember our back yard vividly even though we moved from there when I was 3. We had a swing set and a huge slide, not sure how big it really was. Our yard was surrounded by woods and we only had one neighbor next to us that had a dog that would always come and play with me and lick my face. I spent a lot of time in the back yard playing with my older sister and the two older boys next door. I also remember the day we moved seeing my Winnie the Pooh bear piggy bank in the moving truck. Not knowing that we were moving I asked my parents why they had my Pooh bear and they explained that we were moving. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | My father is a great role model. We have a lot in common; we are both creative and are good with our hands. My father was a pilot for the Coast Guard and flew both airplanes and helicopters. I definitely inherited his eye-hand coordination skills. We are both very good at sports. My father is a jack of all trades. He can pretty much build anything. From drafting up the design for a new kitchen to actually building it himself, including all the carpentry, plumbing and electric. You name it, my father can do the work, and he does it really well. We both worked on my first car together. We pretty much replaced or repaired every part of the vehicle except rebuilding the engine. We even painted the truck and redid the upholstery ourselves. I can't do all the things my father can do yet, but I’m well on my way. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Perseverance, honesty and compassion are my big three. I always like teachers- especially the ones you know are in it for the right reasons. You cannot fake something you are truly passionate about. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | I got poop sprayed on me by my daughter when she was only 1 month old, I had no idea a person so small could do that! I do not really think any got into my mouth but when something like that happens you can never be too sure. So I got my wife to takeover and ran to the sink to rinse. My wife loves retelling the story every chance she gets. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I would go everywhere I have not already been. I could spend my whole life traveling with my family. Ideally, I would love to be able to take a month off each year and plan a trip to a couple of countries and few cities therein. I have not been to India or anywhere in South America yet, but I plan to go there someday. I would also love to revisit Barcelona, Spain with my daughter. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | My parents always told me I could do anything I set my mind to, and that with my potential I could do anything I wanted to do. I have a daughter who is 16 months old now and I love spending time with her. I love her so much, and I’m very grateful that she is so happy and always in a playful mood. I’m lucky that I can work some mornings from home to be with her and I look forward in instilling the same kind of positive outlook my parents gave me. |
