I originally set out to tell stories, not to investigate them. During college, I worked as a carpenter and spent my free time writing screenplays and short stories, planning to pursue law school after graduation. But after the events of 9/11, I changed course and enlisted in the U.S. Army, driven by a sense of duty to serve. In April 2003, I deployed to Baghdad with the Headquarters C2V element of the 1st Armored Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Even amid the uncertainty of war, I kept writing—drafting stories in notebooks between missions. It was during that deployment that I first encountered the harsh realities of human trafficking, an experience that reshaped my future. Upon returning home, I pursued a position with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate and combat such crimes, leading to a lifelong commitment to protecting others.

After several years with CID, I transitioned to the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), where I spent 15 years leading global security operations, high-threat protection missions, and complex criminal investigations across Iraq, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Albania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Along the way, I was fortunate to learn from some of the most exceptional diplomats, soldiers, agents, and instructors—building a global network of trusted professionals who shared a commitment to resilience, service, and integrity.

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought much of the world to a standstill, I chose to view it as an opportunity for growth rather than an obstacle. I returned to higher education, earning two master's degrees—one in Threat and Response Management from the University of Chicago and one in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College—graduating from both programs in the same week. That experience reaffirmed a core belief that has guided me throughout my career: adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement are essential to overcoming any challenge.

Today, I continue my work through Be Resilient, LLC, a security consulting practice dedicated to helping organizations, leaders, and individuals build stronger, more resilient futures.

Outside of my professional life, I am a husband and proud father of two boys. I remain dedicated to storytelling, writing screenplays and fiction, and I teach Dungeons & Dragons to young adults, using the game as a powerful tool to help them learn how to work together, combine unique talents, and solve complex problems collaboratively. In many ways, I view Dungeons & Dragons the same way I view security and leadership: as exercises in creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and trust.

Whether helping an organization strengthen its security posture, mentoring the next generation of leaders, or telling stories about perseverance and hope, my mission remains the same: to build stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.