Occupation: I have been a pilot with Airborne Express, flying out of Hartford, for four and a half years. Prior to that, I was in the US Navy for 10 years. I flew in the Gulf War for ten months off of the aircraft carriers Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln. Later, I was a flight instructor, teaching landings on aircraft carriers and air combat manuevering (like in the movie Top Gun). I have a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Holy Cross.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown for four years. Prior to this, I lived in San Diego for seven years. I grew up in Rockaway Beach, L.I.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: Just since we’ve been here, there’s been a lot of growth, especially in our section of town off Route 34. The prices of houses have skyrocketed. There’s been an addition to the high school, which probably is already filled up.

Family: My wife, Laura, and I have been married for 12 years. We have a 10-week-old son, Connor.

Hobbies: I like to run. I play basketball in the men’s league, and I enjoy playing a lot of golf. I also do a lot of woodworking projects for house improvements.

Favorite Books and Authors: I don’t read a lot. I read newspapers, and I have to read a lot of technical manuals for my job.

Favorite Movies: Pride of the Yankees. We always watch The Quiet Man with John Wayne on Thanksgiving. It’s a tradition in my family.

Favorite TV Shows: Star Trek and Frasier.

Organizations: I belong to the Naval Reserve.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: The first time we went to the Christmas Walk on Main Street, the Holiday Festival. That year most of the houses that were open were on Main Street, and it was a beautiful day to walk along with a cup of hot chocolate and tour the houses and see all the decorations.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Our favorite vacation spot is Hawaii, on Lanai Island, which is a small island. There was only one hotel at that time. It was like an English hunting lodge. It was really nice, very quiet. There were nice beaches and a beautiful golf course. We rode bicycles through the Dole pineapple fields.

Personal Philosophy: I believe in the importance of family and being respectful of others. A lot of it is just enjoying yourself with your friends. I try for self improvement by challenging myself. I’ve always been competitive in athletics, and I transferred that competiveness over to my flying.