Who am I?

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I grew up in New Jersey, and because my parents loved real estate, we moved quite a bit (probably preparing me for my future military career…lol).  My younger sister still lives in NJ; she is a successful hairstylist, business owner, and has raised an amazing family. 

Growing up, I always enjoyed making things, with a specific passion for 

I grew up in New Jersey, and because my parents loved real estate, we moved quite a bit (probably preparing me for my future military career…lol).  My younger sister still lives in NJ; she is a successful hairstylist, business owner, and has raised an amazing family. 

Growing up, I always enjoyed making things, with a specific passion for woodworking. My parents still tote around a few of those projects from almost 40 years ago; I guess I used enough glue!  I also loved knives; I think I visited every knife booth at every flea market (yes, I had one of those cheap Rambo knives at one point). Although I do more making than collecting these days, I still have a bag of the old blades that are all working. In high school I also enjoyed sports, competing on the football, hockey and swim teams.

I retired from the US Air Force in 2022, after 33 years of service to our country.  

After graduating high school in 1988, I joined the Air Force as an enlisted heavy aircraft mechanic, assigned to Castle AFB, CA on the B-52. My plan was to serve 4 years and get out, so I could do my part for our great country, but during these first years

I retired from the US Air Force in 2022, after 33 years of service to our country.  

After graduating high school in 1988, I joined the Air Force as an enlisted heavy aircraft mechanic, assigned to Castle AFB, CA on the B-52. My plan was to serve 4 years and get out, so I could do my part for our great country, but during these first years something odd happened...I became great at my job and was quickly promoted.  I started to love the culture of the military so I reenlisted.  Over the next 8 years, I was assigned to Ellsworth AFB, SD on the B-1s (my favorite aircraft btw!). I finished my undergraduate degree, was promoted to Technical Sergeant (E-6) and was accepted to Officer Training school (OTS).

After OTS I had the opportunity to grow my leadership skills by going right back into the aircraft maintenance career field. As an officer I moved to a new assignment every few years to continue to gain experience within and outside of my career field. I had assignments at: Dover AFB, SD; Dyess AFB, TX (x3), Maxwell AFB, AL(x2), Al Udeid AB, Qatar, and Kabul, Afghanistan along with deployments to Diego Garcia, Guam, Alaska, England, Egypt… Needless to say I had an amazing time! Over time, however, the moves took their toll on the family, so we made the decision to retire. 

We chose Mobile, AL as a temporarily landing zone so we could be close to our son as he attends college at the University of South Alabama. I loved my time in the Air Force and was blessed to see so many different places and meet so many great people around the world.

During my assignment at Ellsworth AFB, SD I met and fell in love with my best friend, Shannon, and we got married in 1998. Funny story: when we were just friends, I used to bring my girlfriends over to meet her, for some reason she never approved of them…haha! We were eventually  blessed with a baby boy in 2002, while we were assigned to 

During my assignment at Ellsworth AFB, SD I met and fell in love with my best friend, Shannon, and we got married in 1998. Funny story: when we were just friends, I used to bring my girlfriends over to meet her, for some reason she never approved of them…haha! We were eventually  blessed with a baby boy in 2002, while we were assigned to Dover AFB, DE. 

Shannon is an amazing equestrian and horse owner who loves Dressage. She also is a successful embroidery business owner, doing some beautiful work. Look her up on Etsy, and shoot her a message if you need something custom (RanDomDesignsEmb). 

Our son Tyler is an amazing young man. He is attending college (hope I can change this to "graduated from" at some point…lol) at the University of South Alabama, pursuing a degree in IT. Although he had to deal with some severe physical challenges from shortly after birth, he has managed to persevere. He became a 1st Degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, was in Boy Scouts, and was in JROTC throughout high school.

In addition to Shannon and Tyler, we have a few furry ones that keep us company. We have two Chihuahuas, Zoey and Peanut(who is 8lbs wet), a cat named Abi (who I found in a Home Depot parking lot in Abilene TX), a house sparrow named Skwishi (who was found in a horse stall: naked, and about to get squished), and her horse Whisky (official name JD Fireball, because at times he is definitely a fireball!) 

I have participated in many sports throughout my life, but Martial Arts has been one of the most enduring. Even though I would move and leave a great school, I was always  lucky enough to find another. I currently hold a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, but like everyone who trains in  martial arts: we all started out as a white belt

I have participated in many sports throughout my life, but Martial Arts has been one of the most enduring. Even though I would move and leave a great school, I was always  lucky enough to find another. I currently hold a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, but like everyone who trains in  martial arts: we all started out as a white belt. 

In the early 80’s I remember training under a hard core Korean school owner who spoke little English and had even less tolerance for poor discipline. More than once I remember spending the entire class on my knuckles. For some reason, I loved it and kept coming back for more. Over the years I trained for my black belt with Chung’s Tae Kwon Do in Millbrook AL (Grand Master Dave Adams) and my 2nd Degree through Team Chip Tae Kwon Do in Abilene TX (Grand Master Chip Townsend- who is also an amazing leadership teacher). If you live in either location and are interested in martial arts, please look them up. 

Aside from the physical aspects, I learned some important life lessons. One lesson from Master Chip that made a huge impression on me was from a quote he referenced: “Hard work always beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard; so never, ever be outworked!” That meant a lot to me because like most of us, I haven't always been the most talented guy in the room. But if I discovered you were talented, but weren’t putting in the effort...I was coming for you. 

This mentality relates to my call sign and the name of my business, “VMax”, which you can read about it in the “About VMax Custom Works” section. Although I am not currently enrolled in a martial arts school, I train weekly in my garage gym.

Over the years, I have had a hard time staying idle.  In addition to martial arts, I love doing hobbies in the outdoors.  I will hike and camp, fish and hunt,  whenever I get the opportunity, and I love to target shoot with my closet full of handguns and rifles.  My father-in-law is an accomplished rock / ice climber and mountaineer; I tr

Over the years, I have had a hard time staying idle.  In addition to martial arts, I love doing hobbies in the outdoors.  I will hike and camp, fish and hunt,  whenever I get the opportunity, and I love to target shoot with my closet full of handguns and rifles.  My father-in-law is an accomplished rock / ice climber and mountaineer; I try to get out to Colorado whenever possible, so he can drag me up one of those mountains.  I also have a road bike and try and put some mileage on those skinny tires at least once a week.