Occupation: I own Bankers One Capital, which I started in 2007. We are a national firm that specializes in small business lending. We provide start-up capital for opening small businesses, acquisition financing for purchasing existing companies, and I have a real niche and concentration in the franchise industry. I've been a commercial corporate banker for my entire career, with 30 years of commercial lending experience.

Family: My wife Melissa and I have known each other close to 20 years and met through mutual friends. We got engaged in Venice, Italy, and got married in Northampton, Mass. We will be having our 13th wedding anniversary this year. We have a 9-year-old son, Cameron.

Pets: My son has a fish named Buddy.

How long have you lived in Newtown? For about eight years. We initially lived in Sandy Hook, but for the past three years, we've lived on the Route 25 side of Newtown.

What do you like to do in your free time? I'm an outdoors guy. I ski frequently. I like mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, and camping. I'm a den leader for Pack 270 that my son is part of at the rank of a Webelos - which stands for We Be Loyal Scouts. I had started out as a den leader for Pack 170 at Sandy Hook, but when we moved and my son transferred schools, I became affiliated with Pack 270.

Do you have a favorite book? Start Small, Finish Big, which was written by the late Fred Deluca, who was the founder for Subway. He passed away a few years ago, but I had known him personally. He started out small, with just one store, and then became the largest franchise operator in the world.

What is your favorite travel destination? Locally, I would say Martha's Vineyard. I do a lot of surf casting fishing and love going there after Labor Day. When I travel, I like going to Laguna Beach, San Diego, Southern California - anything out there is beautiful.

What is the best part about Newtown? I truly see the town as a family community. The kids have all the resources available to them to enjoy just being kids. We've met a lot of close friends just being part of the town, too.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My mother, Eva. She has been the guiding light for me throughout my entire life and career. She's always been supportive. She was a single mom and was always a real self-starter in her own career. She went to nursing school while I was in college and went back to school to get her master's in nursing when I was in grad school. She retired as a very successful nurse. She was always the marker for me that you can do anything.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? Richard Branson. A day with him would be full of adventure, and he would probably take me beyond my comfort zone.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I like jazz music. My favorite artist is Michael Franks, who made the song "Popsicle Toes."

Do you have a favorite TV show? I'm a news junkie and constantly binge watch the news.

What is your favorite food? I cook and do anything with an ethnic food mix. I like using Caribbean food, escoviche fish, and Thai food.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? Never quit. Failure is not an option. If you're in, go all in.

What is something you cannot live without? My wife.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Becoming self-employed.