Home: Savannah, GA. Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA. Profession: Litigation attorney. Organization: The Hostilo Law Firm. Title: Chief Legal Officer and Director of Litigation. Significant other: The love of my life and my best friend, Gina. Alma mater: The University of Pittsburgh.
Current project: Reading The Years of Lyndon Johnson series, by Robert Caro. It encompasses over 5,000 carefully researched pages. Recent recognition: Recognition by the Super Lawyers publication. Only 5% of all attorneys are selected. Latest accomplishment: Breaking 80 for a round of golf for the first time since high school. Hobbies: Golf, travel, reading political biographies, hiking. Recent travel or adventure: Seeing the artists of our formative years, including Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel, ZZ Top, Def Leppard, The Steve Miller Band, Journey, Bruce Springsteen and many more. Recently viewed and recommended: The Day of the Jackal, a Peacock original series.
Personality profile: Serious, type-A, determined, direct. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal (I hope). Moral compass: “Judge not, lest ye be judged” and “Seek first to understand.” What is your greatest joy? Watching my son grow into a man. He is my pride and joy. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Investigative journalists/writers. What is at the top of your bucket list? A Viking River Cruise through Western Europe. How do you relieve stress? Listening to jazz, making gratitude lists, talking to my son, going for a long walk or run. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Some down time each day for reflection and to appreciate the experiences.
What was your first paying job? A research assistant for a university professor. What was your favorite college course? British Government and Politics. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Mattel’s “Classic Football” handheld game. What book have you repeatedly read? The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Many, many pictures of my son, Carter. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Work harder than the other guy.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Listening critically.
What change would you like to see in the world? An end to the 24-hour news cycle. That would allow people time to focus on human interaction and finding areas of commonality and community. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence. I am concerned that humankind will become too reliant on it.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Like Frankie said, “I Did It My Way”. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Ed Westwick, as the younger me and Pierce Brosnan, as the older me. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A firefighter. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My bronzed Pitt Panther (symbolic of the love I have for my alma mater). What advice would you give your younger self? You don’t always need to take the hard road. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My first date with Gina, way back in college.
Personal mission: Ensuring that my son has the tools and support needed to succeed in life and stand on his own two feet. Personal motto: Work harder than the next guy and the rest will take care of itself. Favorite quote: “We may not always get what we want. We may not always get what we need. Just so’s we don’t get what we deserve!” (John Cusack, in True Colors). Desired epitaph: Here rests the body of a flawed man, who strove to do better each day, and often was successful in his quest.
