Family: My wife, Kristen; daughter, Hayden; and my dad, Ken.

Do you have any pets? We have a lot (laughs). We have a dog, Bacon. My oldest dog, Dakota, who was 16, just passed away a few weeks ago. They’re both heelers, Australian shepherds. We also have two horses, goats, sheep, ducks, turkeys, guinea hens, and one donkey, Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey. He has his own Facebook page and everything. This fall we’re getting a cow, a miniature Scottish Highland, for our daughter’s birthday.

How long have you lived in Newtown? About 12 years.

Job: I’m a heavy equipment operator for the Town of Newtown Highway Department.

Are you part of any local clubs or organizations? I’m in Botsford Fire Rescue, currently Second Assistant Chief.

What do you like to do with your free time? I don’t know what free time is (laughs again). I do like working on stuff around my house, on cars, and building things. I have a background in woodworking. I used to be a custom cabinetmaker, and a mechanic. Never a dull moment in my life.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? My parents.

If you could spend a day with anyone, living or deceased, who would you choose? My mom.

What is your favorite music genre? I listen to everything, but my favorite is country.

Favorite musical performer? Zac Brown Band.

What was the most recent concert you went to? Turnpike Troubadors and Cody Jinks.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given? My mom and dad have given me a lot of good advice over the years. My dad told me once, and this goes into a lot of who I am: if you can’t afford it, you gotta be able to make it, build it, or fix it. If you want a truck, and you can’t afford a nice one, buy a lesser one and make it nice. Stuff around the house too: if you can’t afford to hire a plumber, you’d better learn how to fix it. I’ve kind of built my life around that. I learn as much as I can, constantly. It comes back to the hard work and drive my parents instilled in me.

Do you have any pet peeves? Organization is a big one. Also, when things aren’t used properly that gets to me too, like when you see a trash can put out and people just throw trash all around it.

Favorite color? Blue

What is your proudest accomplishment? Finding my wife and marrying her, and creating a wonderful child. I was also one of the youngest Eagle Scouts in the country when I earned that rank, at age 13.

What is your favorite travel destination? I used to live in Colorado, and I love going there.

What is your favorite thing about Newtown? Its small town vibe, although that’s evolving quickly. I came here not knowing how exponentially it would grow. I do like it though, obviously, enough to want to be a firefighter in town, give back to the town, and ultimately work for the Town.

What would you like to read about in The Bee? I focus on the fire articles. I would love to see more of those.

Do you have a personal credo? Work hard to build the dream life you want.