Home: New York City; Washington D.C. Birthplace: City of Neon Lights, Las Vegas. Profession: Executive leader. Organization: Public Private Strategies. Title: Founder & CEO. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Alma mater: University of San Diego; George Washington University. Languages spoken: English and conversational Spanish.
Current project: Small Business Roundtable. Recent recognition: USHCC LGBT Award; NGLCC Supplier of the Year. Recent professional development: ABC News. Latest contribution to others: NextGen Chamber of Commerce Board. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Starting PPS and expanding it into all of the impactful initiatives that now live in the PPS family. Hobbies: Working out, traveling, listening to podcasts, trying out new restaurants wherever I go. Last book read: Abundance, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. Recently viewed and recommended: The Bear.
Personality profile: Curious, intuitive, empathetic, decisive, witty. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Passionate. Moral compass: I trust my gut. How do you define a perfect friendship? Safe and loving. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Genuine and collaborative. What is your greatest joy? Friendship connections. What is your greatest fear? Spiders. What is your guilty pleasure? Cinnamon Rolls. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Yeah, yeah, yeah. What natural talent have you neglected? Music. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Pilots.
What three emojis best describe you? 🙈🤠🤔.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Traveling. How do you relieve stress? Exercise. What is your go-to workout? HIIT class. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Sun, beach, and sand.
What was your first paying job? Selling candy bars door to door; Quiznos sandwich shop, in a Vegas casino, of course. What was your favorite college course? Sociology. I love understanding what makes people and society tick. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Playing in the Las Vegas desert. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Lion King. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Signed copies of legislation that I played a role in enacting. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Showing up is half the battle. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Stay curious. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Aeronautics. What is your favorite app? Instagram. What is your go-to source of news and information? AP, WSJ. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Taking walks. It’s like a bubble bath for the brain! What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The last US financial crisis.
What is your big idea? Entrepreneurship can help us solve our biggest problems. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Supporting entrepreneurs and creating an environment where more people can become successful at it. What change would you like to see in the world? An economy that works for everyone and where opportunity isn’t limited by one’s zip code. What message do you want to send out into the world? Build something that matters and bring others with you. What widely held belief do you reject? That business and doing good are at odds. What mega-trend most excites you? The rise of entrepreneurship across every community. What mega-trend most concerns you? Growing economic inequality.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Building Something Bigger. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Matt Bomer. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? John Lewis. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A lawyer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? A box of photos and handwritten notes. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my closest friends and family, somewhere warm by the water. What advice would you give your younger self? Trust yourself sooner.
Personal mission: To expand economic opportunity through entrepreneurship. Personal motto: Show up and build. Favorite quote: “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway” (John Wayne).
