Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Beth and I and our two amazing boys live in Westwood. Beth is a Mechanical Engineer. Henry (6) and Walter (4) love dragons and Star Wars and building with Legos.

Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My job has many aspects to it and I find that running a business on your own requires wearing many hats. I love that I work for myself and get to work with my hands daily. Teaching enables me to pass on Blacksmithing knowledge and skills to other folks, while creating hand made work for clients keeps my mind and my hands busy creating.

What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I don’t get out much (especially lately) but Thai Taste is one of my favorite places to order take out from. And I love Eli’s BBQ.

How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived and worked in Cincinnati going on 25 years.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Oh, I suppose New Zealand. There is something about that landscape that intrigues me.

What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Another tough question. I’m a big sci-fi fan, so Star Wars (especially Empire) is always at the top of my list.

What advice would you give to people?
Keep at it. Keep working. Put in the time, and sweat and blood. If you truly love what you do, if you believe in what you do, no one can stop you if you keep at it.

What is something on your bucket list?
Hang gliding. Skydiving. Hiking the Appalachian trail with my family.

What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Dire Straits.

What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
In the 25 years I’ve lived here it seems like the city is always in flux. I do miss that drive in theater that was in Ferguson.

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 you meet for this lunch?
Honestly, former President Obama. He seems to me to be an honest down to earth human being. I’d take him down to Eli’s BBQ and just talk. Not about politics, race, the pandemic, etc.. I would just like to have a normal everyday conversation with him.

What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Favorite thing? The parks here are really my favorite thing about living in Cincinnati.

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully still doing what I do. Still swinging a hammer! I would like to be making more sculpture and far fewer railings in the future.

What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I used to have blue hair. Don’t really know if that’s very interesting.

What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Wyoming with my sister about 26 years ago.

Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month? Usually September, but October is a close second. Favorite holiday -Halloween. Best single day, well any day them at I get to spend all day playing with my boys is the best day.

What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
That’s a high bar to reach. Don’t know if I’d give anything a 10 out of 10.

Who inspires you to be better?
My kids.

What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Fresh soil and pumpkin pie.

Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safety. Peace. My anchor.