Occupation: I work as an emergency telecommunicator dispatcher for the Town of Newtown. I answer emergency and nonemergency calls and then dispatch to the proper agencies: police, fire, EMS. I've been doing that for almost two years now, and before that I was working in Danbury doing the same thing. I went to school for business management with a minor in justice and law administration because of my interest in public safety. I also volunteer with the fire department and the ambulance corps. They are jobs that change each day, but it is a way that you can directly help people.

Both my parents, Kevin and Kathy, live in town. My father grew up in Newtown and has been here since elementary school. Now I live just about half-a-mile away from them.

Family:

Pets: I have a golden retriever named George. He was actually one of the dogs photographed recently in The Newtown Bee at the Blessing of the Animals event at St Rose.

Besides a few years living in Danbury while going to school, I've been in Newtown my whole life; 25 years.

How long have you lived in Newtown?

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to volunteer with the Newtown ambulance and the fire department. I enjoy spending time outdoors going hiking, and I like to stay active and go running. I also work with different farm animals at my neighbor's farm and last year helped with 20 goats, four alpacas, and 100 chickens.

Do you have a favorite book? Howard Schultz's book Onward. He was the former CEO of Starbucks and there was a period of time where the company was going downhill. The book is all about how he came back to the company and rebranded and revamped Starbucks without losing its culture.

What is your favorite travel destination?Vermont. My family and I go to a place called Basin Harbor Club on Lake Champlain. We've been going there about 18 years.

What is the best part about Newtown? How Newtown has more resources than a traditional small town, but that you can still find community tucked in different areas.

All the emergency calls that I go on with the different emergency agencies. They really give me a good perspective on how finite life is and how anything can change in a split second. You have to be ready to adapt and be ready to lend a hand to others when needed. Overall, it puts it in perspective of what the little things really are, what you really don't need to worry about in life, and that you need to focus on the good.

What has been the greatest influence in your life?

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? Steve Jobs because of how he was able to run a company, how he was able to innovate, and how he wasn't afraid to push the status quo. I would want to learn from him how he was able to challenge the status quo and gain such momentum.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I like country music. My favorite artist is probably Kenny Chesney.

What is your favorite food? I really like steak.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? You have to make a contribution to society, but that you should do it in a way that you are not wasting your time on the little things. Also, that you should make sure that your impact is irreplaceable.

What is something you cannot live without? Coffee. I have it every day and go to Starbucks a lot. I also like to find new, local places and try different black coffees.