I am a Senior Process Engineer at ms, focused on water and wastewater treatment plant process optimization and rehabilitation. I am a University of Akron graduate where I am also finishing my PhD in Environmental Engineering. I have lived in Akron my whole life and am a proud Akronite who loves Cleveland sports. My fiancé works at Barberton Water Treatment Plant as a Master Operator, so we are one big happy water family. We enjoy anything outdoors including biking, hiking, kayaking and camping. I love music, including playing guitar or just listening to my vinyl collection.

What was your first job?

Dishwasher at Red Lobster

Next item to cross off your bucket list?

To actually make one

Best concert you’ve attended?

Paul McCartney in 2002

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A TV weatherman

Farthest you’ve travelled from home?

Crete, Greece, where my mom’s side of the family still lives

Salty or sweet?

Salty

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

Flying military jets

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be?

Paul McCartney

Last book you read?

Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

What household chore do you hate the most?

We actually don’t have a dishwasher… so dishes

Night owl or early bird?

Night owl

Best dish you cook?

Lasagna (winter), Pulled pork (summer)

Favorite movie?

Pulp Fiction

What sets ms apart from other engineering & architecture firms?

I came from a couple larger firms, so I really enjoy the size of our company. ms is a family-orientated firm which can perform just about any work considering our size. We can compete with firms a hundred times our size and offer services that many of the larger firms cannot.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned while working at ms?

The variety of work that I can get involved with. With the larger firms, I was relegated to strictly performing process work. Here at ms, I am getting exposed to many other facets of our business.

If you weren’t an engineer, what would you be doing?

I’d probably still be a manager at Walgreens

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

At the end of the day, you want your employees and colleagues on your side and to achieve that, I know it sounds cliché, but leading by example and living by the golden rule can create a work environment where people want to be productive but also have fun at work. Don’t let it turn into a place where people dread coming into work.

What would you go back and tell your 22 year old self?

That’s 20 plus years for me, so I would say, don’t wait until 30 to go back to college and start your career so late in life.

You’ve got one day in Akron. What do you do?

I love the outdoors and Akron definitely has plenty to offer, so I’d start out with a morning hike at the Chuckery Area of Cascade Valley Park, then a kayak at Portage Lakes, followed by a 20 mile bike ride on the Akron portion of the Ohio and Erie Canalway Towpath Trail. Finally, a night cap and dinner on the patio at Hopping Frog Brewery.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I have a permanent camper overlooking the Clarion River at Cook Forest in Pennsylvania, so my fiancé and I love to spend our weekends there during camping season. I am an avid biker and love to do anything outdoors. I enjoy cooking and grilling (charcoal only) and I love music, either listening or playing.

Any final words?

Life work balance is so important for your spiritual, mental, and physical health. When it’s time to work, work hard. When it’s time to play, play hard. Keep the two separate.