Occupation: I am what I like to call a first-first responder — an emergency telecommunicator. I answer 911 calls for the Town of Newtown and dispatch police, fire, and EMS.

Family: My wife, Kelly, is also a first responder. My wonderful mother is Jo, and I have four half-siblings: Kelly, Karen, Madison, and Marc.

Pets: One dog and three cats. Ruby is our rescue boxer-mix, who is 120 lbs but still thinks she’s a lap dog, S-man and Tipsy are brothers, and then Lulu, who is a rescue from back home in Massachusetts.

How long have you worked in Newtown? I’ve worked in Newtown for almost seven years.

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to work out, read, travel (before COVID), and spend time with my wife and our pets.

What is your favorite book? I’m a huge fan of Stephen King and Anne Rice. It’s hard to pick a favorite from those two authors!

What is your favorite travel destination? Anyone who knows me knows how much I’m obsessed with Disney! I try to go as often as I can. I’m excited to get back to traveling. I’d say Ireland is a close second, the different shades of green and the rainbow sheep are quite the sight. I can honestly say, though, I do not like driving in Ireland, the roads are narrow and it’s hard to drive on the opposite side of the road.

What is the best part about Newtown? Newtown is just such a beautiful town, there’s always something to see when you’re driving around. I’ll miss seeing the little park next to the old police department and driving by Ram’s Pasture every day [now that emergency communications is located at 191 South Main Street].

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My mother. She is such a strong, courageous, and fearless woman. I’m so proud to call her my mom! Her untiring perseverance through a terrifying illness is nothing short of incredible and I believe she could have recovered with stubbornness alone, which I have inherited. I’ve also inherited her smile and infectious laugh.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I would choose my father. Sadly, I lost him seven years ago and would give anything for just one more afternoon.

Who is your favorite musical artist? Blue October has always been a favorite of mine, but I tend to be all over the place with music that I like.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? Just breathe.

What is something you cannot live without? Disney, of course! Joking aside, it would be my family and friends. They are so incredibly important to me and even though I don’t see the ones back home as much as I’d like to, they’d still drop everything and be at my side if I ever needed them — and vice versa.

What is your proudest accomplishment? I would have to say my job. I love what I do. There are good days and bad like any profession, but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I’m thankful to those officers who told me to “give it a shot” and “you’d be a great dispatcher” almost ten years ago.