Occupation: I'm a sales executive for McKesson Medical-Surgical. I started the job last November. I lead the New England sales team selling laboratory capital equipment. I have been in the health care market place in excess of 25 years. I received my degree in psychology from the University of Vermont. My career experiences also include teaching fifth grade; serving as a deputy sheriff and detective in Dade Country, Fla.; being the youngest FBI Special Agent to instruct at the FBI in Quantico, Va.; as well as serving in various field offices of the Bureau.

Family: My wife and I both grew up in northern New Jersey. Marie is part of Parent Connection in town and is an accomplished and well-respected realtor. We are both dedicated to our careers, outdoor life, music, and giving back to families suffering with issues of drug addiction and alcoholism. We have had the privilege of having three children, one of whom we lost, when he was 9 years old. His name was Adam, and he died of leukemia. But we are very fortunate to have our older son Max, who lives in Danbury, and our daughter Ava, who is a Boston University graduate and is now a publicist living in New York City.

Pets: We had our favorite third son, a boxer named Felix, who passed away a couple of years ago. We miss him. He was that once in a lifetime dog. He was amazing.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We've been here a little over 18 years. When we were living in Chicago, my company transferred me to the New York office. I wanted to be conveniently located in a town with good schools, and where I could still go to New York and Boston.

What do you like to do in your free time? I am an avid fisherman; Marie and I like to go out on the boat and go fishing. I'm a student of blues guitar. Also, I'm a motorcyclist - I have been everywhere in the country on a motorcycle in my youth. I've taken every trip you'd want to take, three times: Sturgis, Yellowstone, Bar Harbor, Key West, you name it.

Do you have a favorite book or author? Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - it's a masterpiece. I've read many of his books, and he's an author capable of taking you back in time and transporting you places to experience the story as if you were there.One of my favorite books is

What is your favorite travel destination? I would say an alpine lake in a quiet location with my boat and old friends.

Its traditions. It's an old New England cabinet-building town that still holds on to that patina of history. It is still a wonderful place to bring up children. The school systems are great.What is the best part about Newtown?

My father. He was a righteous, hardworking guy, and he had a wonderful sense of humor. He really taught me how to be a man of substance and do what I say. He was a really outstanding guy - capable, honest, humble. He was my John Wayne. He was bigger than life.Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? Jesus Christ. I try to follow his teachings, so I would love to spend the day with him and ask him a couple thousand questions.

The old-times blues guys like Albert Collins, Albert King, and Freddie King. Also, the more modern guys like Eric Clapton and Tab Benoit.Who are your favorite musical artists?

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? Be yourself, be honest, be forthright. When you walk in a room, see what you can bring to the room rather than see what you can get out of it.