Occupation: I am a lead inspector for Stonehollow Home Inspections. We have an office in Stamford, and I have an office in Newtown. I’ve been doing this for about five years. My previous career was in television lighting in New York City. I worked for the Martha Stewart Show, Food Network, and episodes of Chopped. But they were 12-hour days and I didn’t get to see my family a lot.

Family: My wife is Susan. We have a son, Ryan, who is 13 years old, and our daughter, Natalie, is 11.

Pets: We have a Westie named Harry, after [the children’s picture book] Harry The Dirty Dog. He was a rescue and his hair was really long and a little dirty when we adopted him. We do have a turtle, too — a red-eared slider named Yertle.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We have lived in Sandy Hook for 11 years.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like outdoor activities. I like to go fishing, and tying flies. I love to have time to spend with my family now. [Since changing careers] I can see the kids get on the bus in the morning, and have dinner with them. It used to be dark when I’d leave and the kids were littler, so I would get home in time to tell them goodnight. I also do blogging, mostly on career stuff.

Do you have a favorite sports team? It is probably heresy, but I kind of follow the Jets and the Giants. My father is a Giants fan, and then I started following the Jets. Now I watch whatever is I can catch on Sunday afternoons.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a trip we’ve made several times. The other place I like is Sedona, Ariz. It’s beautiful if you go in October. There’s a lot of red and sandstone and clay formations, and in the canyons, there is foliage like in New England. You can be hiking in the desert half the day, but when you get down into the canyons, it’s like you’re not even near the desert.

What is the best thing about Newtown? One is the people. You have a tremendous capacity of the character of Newtown. And it’s such a large town, each section has it’s own feel, and diversity. I still find streets I’ve never driven down before.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My wife has been the greatest influence on me. She’s taught me to be a better husband and father, and even a better man. She’s a great mirror to me, and helps me to see myself more clearly, and become a better person.

Do you have a personal philosophy? It’s probably a little cliché, but it would be to remember that life is a journey, not a destination. So don’t take short cuts.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Here in Newtown, it’s ice cream. If I want soft serve, I go to Holy Cow. If I want hard ice cream, I go to Ferris Acres. They both do it perfectly!