Early + Educational Background
I was born and raised in the city of Santa Ana, CA before moving with my family to a more rural area in the city of Riverside/Corona. I consider myself a “highway child” as I had to commute long distances to go to school and participate in sports. Moving back to Orange County during my high school years allowed me to have more time off the road to focus on my studies and I excelled. After graduating from Foothill High School, I attended Orange Coast College for two years. Realizing that I had to make a life-altering choice between continuing my education and caring for my ill father, I decided to take a path that has led me to discover and develop self-application, emotional intelligence, communication skills, relationships and uncontainable passion.
Professional Background
I come from an athletic, competitive, team-sport background and worked in the fitness industry for 8 years as a Personal Trainer through the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) program and Physical Education Instructor for children at a prestigious sports club company in Irvine, CA, known today as Equinox. Helping and motivating my clients to reach their health and fitness goals inspired me to utilize my skill set in another capacity.
Years + Role at Creative Support
I made the choice to take an entry-level, support staff position with Creative Support in 2003. Since then, I’ve developed knowledge, confidence and skill set that has led me to almost every position in the company. I’ve worked directly with the people we support as an Independent Living Skills Instructor at the UCLA Pathway Program in Westwood, CA from 2009 – 2011. There, I assisted the people we support navigate their way through school while adjusting to the unfamiliarity of the college lifestyle and experience. I also served as a Coordinator on multiple Supported Living cases in Orange County, training and managing support staff to assist our SL participants with their day-to-day routines and systems. As a Manager, I helped develop the OC Creative Support Social Program, where the people we support participate in social/recreational activities to develop and maintain a network of friends with peers and staff through positive interactions and social inclusion.
Why This Field
After taking care of my father and helping him back to recovery from esophageal cancer, I decided I wanted to help people who had challenges taking care of themselves. Reflecting on my upbringing and certain moments in my life, I realize I was born to do this type of work and feel it comes naturally to me. I’ve been helping people most of my life. At the age of 10, I was credited with helping my friend through a grand mal seizure, before ever knowing what a seizure was or how to respond to it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had an amazing upbringing with parents that set an enduring example of compassion, humility, kindness and integrity. I’m extremely passionate about the needs and goals of the people we support and strive to provide the utmost quality of service possible. I aim to demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities with a commitment to excellence. I’m dedicated to enhancing the lives of the people we support.
What is something you do with your spare time?
I enjoy practicing yoga with my wife, the sounds of an awesome music playlist, swimming with my mermaid-like daughter, hitting the links for a round of golf, playing soft-toss baseball with my tireless son, spending time training my Pug puppy named Goldee Fawn, a good happy hour with friends and long, rejuvenating runs across the Huntington Beach boardwalk.