I am originally from Massachusetts. I received my bachelor’s degree from University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. After graduating college, I joined the Army in 2011. Since the Army, I’ve worked at a few jobs before receiving my master’s from University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). I am now happily married to my lovely wife and we are currently based in Maryland. 

In the summer of 2018, I was going through a very rough time. I knew I needed a healthy outlet. That outlet came from a VA email, ‘Fly fishing with Project Healing Waters (PHW).’ I showed up empty handed to the meeting; I had never even casted a fly rod. I was greeted by Larry Vawter; a long time leader of the Fort Meade chapter of PHW. Larry was very dedicated to the program, only missing one meeting in 15 years of volunteer service. That dedication wore off on me. 

At that time, Chapter Assistant Lead Ben Urbaniak truly took me under his wing. Ben personally took me fishing to help refine my skills, providing hands-on guidance and encouragement. Those trips played a pivotal role in my development as an angler.  A net was broken in the process, but not my will to succeed. The first trout I ever caught was a tiger trout. It was at a private club. I am still pursuing new species, and as of January 2026, I caught a striper aka striped bass aka rockfish.

Larry unfortunately passed away in 2024. I miss him dearly. When Larry passed away, Ben stepped up to Chapter Lead and asked me to be his assistant. I really enjoyed PHW as a participant, but I did not understand the joy of leadership. 

I took my role seriously and wanted to expand my skills to be able to give back more. I started taking classes and picking the brains of better fly fishing professionals. This past year (2025) brought me to guide school. Guide school was paid for using the GI Bill and Warrior Community Connect picked up the other portion. I mainly wanted to give back to the organizations that helped me get to guide school. I have mostly guided as a volunteer and it has been my favorite part of being a guide. 

I combine the discipline instilled through my military service with the knowledge gained from earning a Master’s degree at UMBC to provide a structured, patient, and rewarding experience on the water. I believe that preserving peace within the waters we fish is essential to the environmental protections I actively support. Through mindful stewardship, we can continue to integrate harmoniously with these ecosystems for years to come. I look forward to fishing with you and deepening our shared understanding of the natural world we all cherish.