Occupation: I am the owner of TJ Hair Studio in Sandy Hook.

Family: My girlfriend Marie works with me and was a huge part of opening the salon. I have a sister, Dawn, who now lives in Smyrna, Georgia. My parents, Karen and Steve, have retired in Melbourne Beach, Florida.

Pets: I don’t have any pets at the moment, but I am a dog lover and have a soft spot in my heart for rescue pit bulls. I plan to start traveling more regularly. If it wasn’t for that, I’d definitely have a few dogs.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I’ve lived in Newtown my whole life, almost 40 years. I went to Hawley Elementary, the Middle School, and graduated from Newtown High in 2000.

What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time I love to do anything outdoors. On my days off this time of year, I will most likely be hiking in the woods somewhere. Last summer I canoed the Allagash River in Maine. I’ve enjoyed the sport of archery since I was 12. Eating and trying new restaurants is definitely a hobby of mine. I love to experience different cultural foods. Vietnamese and Indian cuisine are some of my favorites.

What is your favorite book? My favorite book recently is Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. I think he’s out of his mind in the best way. A great reminder that we all have a lot more in the “tank” than we think.

What is your favorite travel destination? I haven’t done a ton of traveling in my life. I do try to visit family as much as possible. I love the island of Barbados, I have friends that live there. I try to visit every year around this time. I also think there’s something special about the state of Maine. Ireland, Spain, and Vietnam are some countries on my to-do list.

What is the best part about Newtown? The best part about Newtown is that even though it has changed drastically in my lifetime, it hasn’t forgotten its roots. Many of the changes are moving in a positive direction.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I am a member of S.H.O.P. Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity. I’m so proud of what the Sandy Hook Village has become and excited for its future!

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? It might sound cliche, but my mom has definitely had the greatest influence on my life. She is the kindest, most hard working person I know. She worked three jobs while raising my sister and me. In retirement, she does Meals on Wheels and is constantly picking up extra routes to help out. To this day I can talk to her about anything. I would not be the man I am today without her.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? This might sound funny, but I’ve always wanted to have a beer with Mike Rowe (from Dirty Jobs). I follow him on social media and he seems like a genuine person who has gained a lot of perspective on life from his job/travels. His passion for the “blue collar” worker is something I can really stand behind. I think there would be some great conversation and a lot of laughs.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I could listen to Kenny Chesney all day. Country music with an island vibe. His station on SiriusXM “No Shoes Radio” is always on in my car. I’ve seen him in concert five to six times. Even if you aren’t a country fan, you’ll have a blast at that show!

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? The best advice always seems to come from “old timers.” The general theme I get from them is to not take life too serious. Allow yourself to be happy. Spend time with the ones you love. There’s so much “stuff” going on around us that doesn’t really matter in the end. So I try to live a simple life doing what fuels my soul.

What is something you cannot live without? I couldn’t live without my core group of friends and family. Nothing material could ever match what those people bring to my life. Happiness is only real when shared.

What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment so far in life has been opening my own business in my hometown. Honestly, it’s not something I ever thought I wanted. At the time, I was scared to death. With some help and encouragement from my friends/family it became a reality and I couldn’t imagine my life any other way. I get to work with some of my best friends every day and provide a “feel good” service to people of my community. What more could you ask for?