My Story
My strengths journey started in 2007 when I first read “First, Break All the Rules” by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman for my Masters of Science in Administration (MSA) program at Saint Michael’s. I’ve always appreciate the way the Clifton StrengthsFinder (CSF) assessment seeks to encourage people to focus on and value what is “right” with people, rather than focus on deficiencies. Since graduating with my MSA in 2012, I’ve sought to incorporate other positive psychology methods, like Appreciative Inquiry, into my work with clients.
I started my career in higher-education after graduating from Saint Michael’s College with a B.A. in History. My entire career has been about assisting people find, afford, and maximize their educational opportunities. As an Enrollment/Admission Counselor at Juniata College (1999 – 2001) and Assistant Director of Admission at Hartwick College (2001 – 2002) I sought to help college-bound students, and their families, identify higher-education options that best fit them as people and their academic interests. In 2002, I had the opportunity to return to my alma mater to support students in a different capacity…as a fundraiser. Having served as an Assistant Director of the Saint Michael’s Fund (the college’s annual fund operation; 2002 - 2009) and as Saint Michael’s College's Donor Relations Officer (2009 - 2017), I matched donor interests with initiatives that supported our students, faculty, and staff.
In January 2018, I had the opportunity to join the Vermont Futures Project where I worked to identify ways to improve statewide and regional initiatives focused on improving and growing Vermont's workforce, expanding entrepreneurial support, and enhancing innovation efforts. It was during this time I realized that Vermont could not hire its way to better economic performance; rather, we need to help individuals better engage with their work thus resulting in improved productivity and profitability at the individual, team, and organizational level.
My experience in the non-profit sector has followed a similar path. As a grandson of an Episcopal priest, I learned the value of service to others at an early age. My commitment to my fellow man/woman took firm hold in high school and continued through college, where I served as a Core Team Leader for Saint Michael’s community service program – M.O.V.E. (Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts). As both a student and staff member, I participated in programs serving the Burlington community and service trips to Long Island, NY; Washington, DC; Immokalee, FL; and rural counties of Kentucky. In 2009, I accepted the opportunity to join the Board of Directors for Mercy Connections (Burlington, VT; 2006 - 2012). While on the Board, I sought to help women in moments of life transitions by improving fundraising initiatives, and building better programs through result-based accountability evaluation models.
When I’m not coaching or volunteering, I spend my time with my wife, Amy, my two sons, and our dog in Colchester, VT. I also still make time to play basketball, and when I can play some soccer or make it to the golf driving range.
I started my career in higher-education after graduating from Saint Michael’s College with a B.A. in History. My entire career has been about assisting people find, afford, and maximize their educational opportunities. As an Enrollment/Admission Counselor at Juniata College (1999 – 2001) and Assistant Director of Admission at Hartwick College (2001 – 2002) I sought to help college-bound students, and their families, identify higher-education options that best fit them as people and their academic interests. In 2002, I had the opportunity to return to my alma mater to support students in a different capacity…as a fundraiser. Having served as an Assistant Director of the Saint Michael’s Fund (the college’s annual fund operation; 2002 - 2009) and as Saint Michael’s College's Donor Relations Officer (2009 - 2017), I matched donor interests with initiatives that supported our students, faculty, and staff.
In January 2018, I had the opportunity to join the Vermont Futures Project where I worked to identify ways to improve statewide and regional initiatives focused on improving and growing Vermont's workforce, expanding entrepreneurial support, and enhancing innovation efforts. It was during this time I realized that Vermont could not hire its way to better economic performance; rather, we need to help individuals better engage with their work thus resulting in improved productivity and profitability at the individual, team, and organizational level.
My experience in the non-profit sector has followed a similar path. As a grandson of an Episcopal priest, I learned the value of service to others at an early age. My commitment to my fellow man/woman took firm hold in high school and continued through college, where I served as a Core Team Leader for Saint Michael’s community service program – M.O.V.E. (Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts). As both a student and staff member, I participated in programs serving the Burlington community and service trips to Long Island, NY; Washington, DC; Immokalee, FL; and rural counties of Kentucky. In 2009, I accepted the opportunity to join the Board of Directors for Mercy Connections (Burlington, VT; 2006 - 2012). While on the Board, I sought to help women in moments of life transitions by improving fundraising initiatives, and building better programs through result-based accountability evaluation models.
When I’m not coaching or volunteering, I spend my time with my wife, Amy, my two sons, and our dog in Colchester, VT. I also still make time to play basketball, and when I can play some soccer or make it to the golf driving range.