I am a resident of Western Springs and frequent Hinsdale often, especially Page’s and the FedEx print shop! Although we don’t live in Hinsdale, we have many good friends there. I attended UIUC and married my college sweetheart. We moved out from the city in 1998 and have lived in LaGrange Park, and Western Springs and have recently made the jump to condo living- still in WS. I am extremely blessed to have 3 great kids. Also blessed to have had 2 great careers – one as an independent professional floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for 25 years and also currently as the owner of StretchLab Willowbrook -June 2020 and StretchLab Elmhurst -May 2022. When my children were young, I enjoyed being active in Cub Scout pack 4, Boy Scout Troop 12, Awana, AYSO, and the Y Indian Princess and Guide programs.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Lauri is active at our church, Christ Church, and a volunteer attorney at a pro bono law clinic, Administer Justice. Our oldest daughter is a process engineer for GP in Green Bay, our middle daughter Emily is an ED nurse in Omaha and applying to med school, and our son, James, is studying business at Miami of Ohio
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Back when I was a trader, I loved that it was a meritocracy and you were rewarded for your abilities, hustle, and appetite for risk. As a StretchLab owner, I really love getting to know my clients and I’ve seen some drastic and compelling stories in our studios! StretchLab is an assisted stretching studio and we specialize in one-on-one deep stretch sessions. We are a proud supporter of the Hinsdale Central Athletic Programs and Basketball Boosters and other charities in the area.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Page’s, Nabuki, Country House, Bernard’s Deli, DaVanti
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
25 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Too many to mention.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I’d love to vrbo in Gijon, Spain and do a total immersion for a month, but promised my wife we’d take our next trip to Italy.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I try not to watch TV but have been known to binge on Bosch, Jack Ryan, and Yellowstone.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Receive God’s grace and give grace to others. It’s not about you. Don’t be a pigeon..
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’m not a big fan of bucket lists, but I want to see the Holy Land, more National Parks, and travel Europe.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
RUSH, it’s all about the drums.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Page’s, it has character and no pretension.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
No one currently famous, probably and old wise farmer, self made person, or history prof who’s seen a lot, doesn’t swear, has a lot of anecdotes, stories, wisdom, and a good sense of humor. It’d be a booth near the bar at Country House.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
West siders are the best–plain spoken, not pretentious, and level headed.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In the mirror.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love southern gospel, 4 part harmonies, and Gilbert and Sullivan operettas
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Waipi’o Valley, Hawaii
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
June, Thanksgiving, June 21-the longest day, or 4th of July
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Chicago Skyline
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Chocolate factories, Deep forests.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
familiar, memories, friends and family.
