I grew up as part of a working-class family in a small town about outside of Chicago, IL. We had one stop light, one grocery store, a Dairy Queen, and a flower shop. That’s where I learned to be an entrepreneur. My Mom, who owned Sunshine Flower Emporium, showed me that hard work and dedication will beat talent and money any day. Whether I was making flower deliveries, selling roses on a street corner, or making a run to pick up supplies, I knew I was helping the family make ends meet.

My Mom’s dream was that I finish college, because she could not. She pinched pennies and found a way to send me to a catholic high school, where my future was formed. I was able to learn what it took to be successful, see the families I wanted to model in my future, make my best friends, and most importantly, date my future wife of 30+ years! I was lucky enough to get a Marketing degree from Northern Illinois University.

As an adult, I worked as a truck driver, an electrician, and a call center operator before I found my calling. For the last 30 years, I have been working in the mortgage industry. I have been a customer service representative, an underwriter, a process improvement Black Belt, a Loan Officer, and a Leader in all of those fields.

In June of 2005, I graduated from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, with a Master of Business Management. My classmates were doctors, lawyers, CEO’s, and even a nuclear scientist! I couldn’t believe someone like me, had an opportunity like that. I am so thankful of those who supported me to make that happen. I loved and embraced every moment of that education.

My family is my rock. I married Joelle in 1993 and we have 3 beautiful children: Jack, Keara, and Brian. Whether it was volunteering at their schools or coaching them in baseball, softball, or basketball, they always kept me busy, involved, and focused on making our community the best it could be. Now, as an empty nester, I love watching my Cubs, playing golf with friends, or hanging out with my dogs Willson (Contreras), Sammy (Sosa), and sometimes Theo (Epstein).

If you’re looking for an honest, happy, genuine, thoughtful Loan Officer, with a strong work ethic, I would love to help you with your mortgage!