I am still pinching myself! To be nominated amongst my peers and to join the class of 2025 warbirds 20 under 40 is still hard to put into words. Seeing all of the support and love is such an amazing feeling. Thank you to all who have been watching me and my family grow into the man I am today.

In July 2011, I enlisted in the United States Navy. While onboard the USS Harry S. Truman I saw the operations of the flight deck and hangar bay and knew from that moment on I wanted to do anything and everything within the aviation industry. Along my journey as an undesignated sailor, I was able to strike the rate of Aviation Structural Mechanic; where I began to learn sheetmetal, tires to be built up and hydraulic components disassembly and reassembly. Learning my love for maintenance ran deeper than I could have ever imagined. In July 2015, I separated from the Navy to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for my Airframe, Power Plant, and avionics certification. Along my education journey, I had often ventured to American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, FL; watching all of the warbirds being restored, thinking to  myself “this is what I want to do.”

In 2019 I received the opportunity to do just that and work for the Collings Foundation, during “the wings of freedom tour”. I would become responsible for the B-24 “Witchcraft”, while assisting the B-25 Tondelayo, P-51 and P-40. It was a tough decision because I’d have to pack my bags and leave my wife, who was pregnant at the time with our second child, but with her support I did exactly that! While traveling the country I was able to come home to witness our son’s birth and introduce my family to my now warbird family. Around December of 2019 I received a job offer to move back home and work at the Michigan Flight Museum, formally known as the Yankee Air Museum, where I would work on the B-17 Yankee Lady, B-25 Rosie’s Reply and C-47 Hairless Joe. Working alongside the team at the museum, plus connecting with other organizations over the years, is truly astonishing with the amount of knowledge, skills and willingness to help each other keep our warbirds flying. Coming into my sixth year at the museum, I have earned my Inspector Authorization, been promoted to the lead mechanic of the organization, and became the crew chief for our B-25 and UH-1H huey.

It is truly an honor to be a part of this industry. I am honored to be a part of the class of 2025! I often tell people “that I get to take care of my older brothers and sister aircraft!” Working with everyone to keep their stories alive and along the way sitting there, listening to those same stories is what it is all about. Keep em Flyin!