I’ve lived in and around Saratoga Springs my entire life. My wife Julie and I met in high school and re-connected a few years later. I’ve spent the vast majority of my career in Saratoga Springs, working in several restaurants before serving as a police officer for 27 years and as security at the high school for almost two decades.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Julie and I have been married for 26 years and have four talented and loving children, ages 8 to 24, that keep us challenged and smiling every day. My parents and siblings have moved away, but they still consider Saratoga as home.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I started my first job at age 13, washing dishes and cooking at The Broadway. Through my teens and early 20s stayed in restaurants, working in the kitchen at The Wheat Fields and as a waiter and manager at Eartha’s Kitchen. In 1995 I followed my mothers footsteps and became a Saratoga Springs police officer. I served the city for 27 years, retiring as a lieutenant in 2022. After a year working in the private sector, I wanted to continue my career in public service. I found a great match with a community that shares my values in open communication and empathy in policing, starting in September 2023 as Deputy Chief of Police in South Burlington, VT.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
There are so many great choices that its difficult to come up with a short list, but we always seem to return to Chianti and the Mexican Connection. Locally owned businesses that have great food and treat their customers well.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My wife and I have both lived in and around Saratoga Springs our entire lives, so over 50 years. While work may have pulled me away, Saratoga is always home!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
About 15 years ago I had the honor of spending the day with Colonel Buzz Aldrin! He was in town for an Army/Navy sprint football game, and I was his “protection” detail. For several hours I talked with him and his wife and watched the game together. He even invited my family in and had a great conversation with all of us. He was a charming and down-to-earth man.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Italy! It has always been on my bucket list but just hasn’t happened. Our oldest son spent several weeks in Tuscany a couple of years ago for an opera program – he’s an amazing tenor – and he had such a great experience!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I’ve always loved movies and TV that do more than just tell a story, they pull you into the characters’ lives. Characters that are flawed and relatable, put into situations beyond what anyone would consider normal. Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption and Walter White in Breaking Bad are my favorites. One shows a good man making the best of an impossible life, the other a not-so-good man taking an unfortunate circumstance and letting it ruin him and everyone around him.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
In everything you do, look for ways to help. Be a resource for others. Mentor a new person at work. Shovel your neighbor’s walkway. Let that car into traffic in front of you. Smile at someone, even if you don’t really feel like it. Be the bright spot in someone’s day. You never know how much of a difference you will make.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’ve always wanted to travel the country by car. No timelines, no real destinations or places we have to be. Just go wherever, whenever, and see the wonders of nature and culture that America has to offer!
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Led Zeppelin. Ever since 7th grade. The heavy soul and blues influences, with the artful weaving of drums, guitar, and lyrics really gets me every time!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Gotta be Grasso’s Italian Ices! It hasn’t been around in a couple of years, but I heard that a family member was going to start again. The sight of that 1949 truck pulling up, with Mr. Grasso scooping that amazing lemon ice! A true Saratoga classic.
Q: 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 y’all meet for this lunch?
There are so many great possibilities, but I think Simon Sinek. He is an author and speaker that specializes in leadership. His main message revolves around servant leadership, treating people well, and being a resource. Uncommon Grounds would be a great venue, so we could enjoy a lengthy coffee and watch the endless crowd while we talk.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite, unique part of Saratoga is that for a small city we have so much. I don’t know of any other city of less than 30,000 people that has so many bigger-city amenities! We have huge entertainment opportunities at SPAC, from big-name concerts to the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet, two horse racing venues, a casino, a treasure of a state park, and too many great restaurants to list! Its the biggest small city I know of.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I plan on serving as a police officer for as long as I am able, which hopefully will last at least 5-10 more years. That work has taken me to Vermont, and may eventually lead me elsewhere, but Saratoga will always be home.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I have a fear of heights. It’s not overwhelming, and I can overcome it if necessary, but it’s definitely there. As a young officer I was in a foot pursuit on Broadway when the suspect climbed a fire escape. Without thinking I went up after him. The building was on the east side of Broadway, on a hill, so when I had climbed two stories I was four stories off the ground. That’s when I happened to look down. I fought through it, but I can still feel the panic from that night!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Everywhere is beautiful if you have the right perspective. The Arizona desert is so drastically different from the lush green of upstate NY that it really stood out to me.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is October. The weather is mostly warm days and cool nights, perfect for apple picking and hayrides, and just right for hiking and camping. Christmas is my favorite holiday because of the amount of time spent with friends and family, and the excitement of our two young boys on Christmas morning.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I’m a foodie, inspired by my mother’s and grandmother’s cooking, and my time in restaurants, so that’s where my mind went first. My 10 out of 10 is the braised beef short rib at Chianti. Simple food done extraordinarily well.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Inspiration can come from anywhere, but my family is my most constant source. I see their talent, creativity, and determination and it makes me want to be better, for them and for myself.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Freshly cut grass. It brings me back to childhood summers where the days seemed to never end, and to August football practices that seemed horrible at the time, but are a lasting memory of good times gone by.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
To me home means family, comfort, and security.
