My Story

I was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, in 1986 and grew up in nearby Forked River. As a kid, I was naturally quiet and observant. While many people seemed to instinctively understand social situations, I often found myself watching and listening, trying to understand what made people think, feel, and behave the way they did.

At the same time, I became fascinated with stories. Growing up in the 1990s meant discovering the world through movies, television, comic books, novels, and video games. What started as entertainment quickly became something more. Stories weren't just escapism—they were a way to explore human nature, different perspectives, and the world beyond my own experiences. That curiosity would eventually shape both my creative career and my academic interests.

A New Chapter

After nearly a decade in Los Angeles, life changed in ways none of us could have anticipated. Like many people, the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to reevaluate my goals, priorities, and assumptions about the future. Shortly afterward, my wife and I experienced a significant family loss that ultimately brought us back to New York.

The transition wasn't easy. We were leaving behind a life we had spent years building and entering a period filled with uncertainty and difficult questions about what came next. During that time, I made the decision to return to school and pursue a Master's degree in Human Behavior and Organizational Psychology at Kean University. My experience in film and television had always placed me in leadership, coordination, and team-focused roles, and I wanted to better understand the dynamics that influence how people communicate, collaborate, and solve problems.

While pursuing my degree, my wife and I welcomed our daughter into the world. Becoming a father reshaped my perspective in ways I never expected. Success was no longer defined by a specific title, project, or career milestone. Instead, it became about building a meaningful life, creating stability for my family, continuing to learn and grow, and finding opportunities to make a positive impact on the people around me.

Looking back, that period of change taught me an important lesson: sometimes the most meaningful chapters of our lives are not the ones we plan. They are the ones that force us to adapt, grow, and discover what truly matters.

Finding Storytelling

My interest in storytelling began long before I understood it could be a career. As a kid, I was constantly creating something—drawing characters, designing imaginary video games, writing stories, or making movies with whatever tools I could get my hands on. One of my earliest projects involved creating my own Mega Man game on paper, complete with original characters, levels, and maps. Later, I attempted to write a vampire novel on an old typewriter. Whether the projects were successful or not was beside the point. I simply loved creating.

That passion eventually led me to filmmaking. Armed with an old VHS camcorder borrowed from my grandparents, I spent countless hours making homemade movies inspired by the stories I loved. Sometimes I recreated scenes from films. Other times I invented entirely new adventures. Looking back, I realize I wasn't just watching stories—I was trying to understand how they worked.

By high school, storytelling had become a central part of my life. I became heavily involved in television production, theater, and multimedia projects, eventually helping transform my school's morning announcements into a live television-style broadcast. Whether producing videos, creating content for school productions, or experimenting with new ideas, I was always looking for ways to tell stories and connect with an audience. By that point, filmmaking wasn't simply an interest anymore. It was the path I knew I wanted to pursue.

Building a Career

By my mid-twenties, I had reached a point where I felt stuck. I was working in television production, writing screenplays, and pursuing creative projects, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was moving in circles. Around the same time, my girlfriend—now my wife—was feeling much the same way. We were living in different states, seeing each other whenever we could, and both wondering what came next.

One day, during a conversation about wanting something more from life, I suggested a move to Los Angeles. To my surprise, she didn't dismiss the idea. Instead, we started making plans. Over the next year, we saved money, made arrangements, packed everything we owned into a car, and drove across the country.

For the next decade, Los Angeles became home. It was where I built my career in film and television, worked alongside talented creative professionals, and gained firsthand experience in how large teams collaborate to bring ambitious projects to life. More importantly, it was where my wife and I built a life together. We formed lasting friendships, explored new opportunities, and learned what it meant to take risks in pursuit of something meaningful. While my career evolved in ways I never could have predicted, I have never regretted the decision to make that journey.

What I Believe

At my core, I believe that people matter. Every organization, project, and accomplishment is ultimately the result of individuals working together toward a common goal. Whether on a film set, in a classroom, or in a professional environment, I have always believed that strong teams are built through trust, respect, communication, and shared purpose.

I believe in curiosity, evidence, and continuous learning. My background in storytelling taught me how people communicate through narratives, while my studies in human behavior helped me better understand the psychological forces that shape the decisions we make. Together, those experiences have reinforced a simple belief: most problems can be solved when people are willing to listen, think critically, and work collaboratively.

Today, my goals are simpler than they once were. Early in life, success meant achieving ambitious creative dreams and building a career in the entertainment industry. While those passions remain an important part of who I am, my definition of success has evolved. Success now means creating a meaningful life, contributing to something larger than myself, supporting my family, continuing to grow, and helping others succeed alongside me.

The common thread throughout every chapter of my life has been a fascination with people—the stories they tell, the challenges they overcome, and the ways they come together to create something meaningful. That curiosity continues to guide me today, and I look forward to wherever the next chapter leads.