I grew up in the small town of Mt. Airy, better known as "Mayberry". I was an eagle scout and swam competitively in high school and college. I went to UNCC starting out in the Fine Arts transferring into the architecture program. I received degrees in Architecture and Fine Arts. I worked while studying architecture for a firm In Charlotte specializing in Medical Office buildings and commercial buildings. I left Charlotte and moved to Brevard. There I worked for Al Platt Architects, best known for his HGTV Dream house. Desiring more diversity than residential, I worked for Jim Samsel Architects. The employment was a terrific experience, that varied from medical, college, commercial, and high end custom residential. Employment has varied from commercial design to high end custom residential. Other firms include CJMW and Fisher Architects. At Fisher I was a project architect on custom residential and small commercial projects.