+ my story

I’ve traveled a fair amount and enjoy experiencing new cultures. I’ve always thought that the best way to get to know someone is good conversation and a good meal. Through these experiences I have learned various skills and trades that have kept me searching for excitement and personal growth. This yearning for adventure came from my parents, as they were constantly moving and seeking the perfect environment to raise me and my younger brother. I was born in Chicago, Illinois. After 2 years, my parents then moved to St. Louis, Missouri. After a couple more years I ended up in the wonderful city of San Antonio, Texas where I grew up and began to soak up the deep, rich, and expansive culture. I always had a passion for cooking as a child and was heavily influenced by my mother and my grandmother. Cooking came naturally to them, and they always strived to put a meal made with love on the table every night.

This catapulted my journey into the underbelly of the world of restaurants. Fast forward a few years and I found myself starting my adventure by working in various restaurants in town. The heat, excitement, and chaotic energy could be felt immediately every day I arrived for my shifts. It was explosive! I knew what I wanted to chase after, and I dove headfirst into the deep end of this culinary ocean of flavors and experiences. After a while, my mother and younger brother decided to relocate to Santa Fe, but I didn’t follow just quite yet. I was given the opportunity to move to Hawaii on the island of Oahu to live with my father. I packed up everything I owned, made a quick pit stop in Santa Fe, and then headed even further out west to start this new chapter. I lived in Hawaii for a year; it was an unforgettable paradise. The island was an intense melting pot of cuisine and cultures perfectly blended into a sublime experience. I learned so much about cooking, technology, and connecting with others during my time there. I was eager to return to my family and the draw of New Mexico was calling me back to the mainland, so I packed up my bags and traveled back to Santa Fe.

I worked as an IT professional, Sous Chef at the excellent Fire & Hops gastropub in town, and even an executive assistant for my mother’s property management company before I found my way to the Neil Lyon Group. They needed a Digital Marketing Coordinator and after previously helping them with some IT work, I decided to change gears, only slightly, and expand my knowledge and repertoire of skills by joining their team. I constantly push the boundaries of my various skillset and I strive to help others every day.

In my free time I enjoy inventing new recipies and honing my culinary craft, going for a good hike, organizing my ever-growing board game collection, and relaxing with my partner Sarah and our two cats.