What first drew you and your family to Roswell, and what has made this community feel like home over the years?
My first exposure to Roswell occurred when my wife, Colleen and I were looking for a Catholic church to attend with our young children. We started going to St. Peter Chanel on Holcomb Bridge. We started to love Roswell so much, we went all in…Before long, Colleen was in charge of youth ministry for that same church, my son was attending Blessed Trinity High School, and I was running a painting business – all in Roswell!
You’ve been deeply involved in the community, from coaching baseball to supporting local families. Why has giving back always been important to you?
I was raised to always observe and be thankful for what I have whether it be food on the table, a great family, friends, my health, or simply having been born in this great country. I have discovered that I’m able to leverage my painting business as a vehicle for giving to others. CertaPro Painters of Roswell supports several charities including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Family Promise of North Fulton / Dekalb, and Habitat for Humanity.
As a business owner, why was Roswell the right place to build and grow your CertaPro Painters business?
I was looking to make a career change in 2016 and exit financial services after 23 years, and I was always intrigued by business ownership. Roswell seemed like a natural fit at the time and still does. It was and is a vibrant community that is thriving. It’s where people want to be and the culture is second to none. I was certain that if my company did a good job for the residents of Roswell, we would grow and be successful.
Coaching youth sports often teaches leadership, patience, and teamwork. How have those experiences shaped the way you lead your company and connect with customers?
My dad set a great example while coaching me when I was a young baseball and basketball player. I always considered it a real accomplishment if I could get my kids to work together as a team to achieve success. It’s the same in business. The only way we win is if we all rally around a common goal, with the customer front and center. This kind of alignment doesn’t just happen – It takes strong coaching and leadership.
When you think about your purpose—both personally and professionally—what impact do you hope your family and business leave on the Roswell community?
I am fortunate in that my company has truly developed into a “family” business. Colleen, my wife of 32 years, runs the office, as well as commercial projects. My oldest son, Jack, is the project manager for residential painting and my youngest, Carter, does our social media marketing. We paint 500+ homes and commercial buildings every year, but some projects are more fun and rewarding than others...such as the Roswell High School Football Stadium, or the rehab of a home for Habitat for Humanity. The looks on the faces of the players, or the homeowner that needed a helping hand were worth remembering for a long, long time.
On a perfect Roswell weekend, where would we find you and your family spending time together?
I love to play golf with my two boys. We are members at Brookfield Country Club and try to get 18 holes in most Sundays. My dad and I had a special bond and much of it developed on the golf course, much like I get to do with my two sons currently.
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