Born on the Island of Madeira, Portugal after my family fled Angola, Africa. I was raised in a Luso-American community in Newark, New Jersey. I am excited to have been asked to be a Shoe Guy this year to help raise awareness, advocacy, and money for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Acadiana. I earned my bachelor's at Seton Hall University where I was also a brother of Sigma Pi Fraternity, Int’l, and played ice hockey for the Pirates Men’s Team. After graduation I served this Great Nation in the US Army, attending many of the Army’s toughest leadership schools. I always believed that the Army provided me with the opportunity to see new places, meet great people, and gain amazing experiences. I am a combat Veteran, having deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq multiple times. I also earned an MBA from Missouri S&T while in the Army. After “growing up”, I found my purpose in life by serving others as a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual to help my clients build a plan that will help them achieve financial security. I serve on the Board of Acadiana Veteran Alliance, proud OneAcadiana Ambassador, a member of the VFW and Knights of Columbus and am currently in Leadership Lafayette’s “Best Class Ever” 36. I am currently working on my Doctorate of Executive Leadership and will begin my dissertation soon. My greatest accomplishment is being persistent to marry my wife Jackie, who I am proud to say we have been married for over 20 years. Together we have three great children, Caleb, a sophomore Civil Engineering student at UL, Meghan, a senior at Lafayette High and Morgan, an eighth-grader at Milton. While not originally from “Cajun Country,” this is our home now and our community. My one ask is that you help me be the “King of Sole,” by supporting me to raise the most funds for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Acadiana.