Home: Grand Junction, CO. Birthplace: Chicago, IL. Profession: College swim coach. Organization: Colorado Mesa University. Title: Associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. Significant other: My wife, Sarah Parro. Alma mater: University of Illinois at Chicago.
Current project: Win an NCAA Division II national championship. Recent recognition: Third-place men’s and women’s teams at the NCAA championship. Recent professional development: Promotion to associate head coach. Latest contribution to others: Volunteer trail maintenance work. Hobbies: Hiking, running, mountain biking and skiing. Recent travel or adventure: Visited the Big Island of Hawaii. Last book read: The Way Out, by Devon O’Neil.
Personality profile: Generally introverted but enjoys a good conversation; fun and loose, not too serious. Moral compass: My faith—truth from and through God. How do you define a perfect friendship? Go without seeing or talking for months and pick up right where you left off. What is your greatest joy? Helping others achieve their goals. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel—finding somewhere beautiful and exploring it with my wife. What is at the top of your bucket list? A European trip with family. How do you relieve stress? Skiing or hiking in the mountains. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Nature.
What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Landscape photography. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My wife and people in my career I look up to. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Be patient and consistent. What is your go-to source of news and information? Apple News. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Instagram. What company or organization do you most admire? Apple. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Having three young kids while pursuing a time-consuming career.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Using more data in swim training planning.
What change would you like to see in the world? People taking ownership for their own behavior before criticizing others. What message do you want to send out into the world? Look in the mirror before you point a finger. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence—what is going to happen?
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Boring chaos. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Firefighter. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Bike. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Outside in the mountains with my family, playing. What advice would you give your younger self? Lean more on the advice of others. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? The first few years after college.
Personal mission: Making teams that provide valuable and transformative experiences. Favorite quote: "How you do anything is how you do everything" (T. Harv Eker). Desired epitaph: He believed the best was yet to come.
