Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey to date.
My career hasn’t evolved in a vacuum; it’s been shaped by the life I’ve lived outside of work, the challenges that stretched me, and the moments that forced me to grow in ways I never anticipated. Before I ever found my footing at GoDaddy, my wife and I were navigating a deeply personal journey—one marked by loss, hope, and the decision to build our family through foster care and adoption. The resilience we developed through that experience didn’t just transform our home; it changed how I show up professionally. It taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of fighting for people when the path isn’t easy. My story is a reminder that the strengths we bring to our careers often come from the hardest chapters of our lives, and that personal healing and professional growth are more connected than we sometimes realize.
My wife and I met at a crossroads, both bearing the scars of previous marriages. I walked in with a daughter—a little miracle. My wife, conversely, arrived carrying the heavy silence of infertility, her own dreams of motherhood crushed by biology.
We were two people with empty arms, staring down a future that felt terrifyingly quiet. But where biology closed a door, love kicked one open. We decided that if we couldn’t make a family, we would build one. We spent 11 weeks in parenting classes, learning the logistics of foster care, clinging to the fragile hope that one day, we might be called "Dad" and "Mom" together.
Thirteen months later, the silence of our home was shattered—beautifully.
It happened in a whirlwind. First, we were entrusted with two brothers from a rough corner of West Phoenix. Shortly after, their baby brother arrived. Almost overnight, we went from raising one child to four. Then, fate offered us one more chance to serve: a young, single mother in crisis. We walked her through her pregnancy, and when she couldn't stay, her son remained. We grew to a family of seven.
We adopted all four boys. We signed the papers, changed their names, and promised them forever. But we quickly learned that you cannot simply love away the past; you have to walk through the fire with them.
We didn't just adopt children; we adopted a mission to heal. We immediately surrounded them with therapists, services, and unwavering advocacy. We fought for their smiles, their sanity, and their futures.
Today, the house is no longer quiet. It is loud with the chaotic, beautiful noise of healing. We are a family forged not by blood, but by the refusal to give up on each other. Our lives were forever changed, turned upside down and inside out, but looking at them now—safe, loved, and home—we know it was all for the good.
When it comes to my career, there was a point in my GoDaddy journey when I genuinely considered walking away. After transferring into the Server department, I felt completely out of my depth. The technology didn’t click, no matter how hard I tried, and I spent more than a year feeling like I was wearing down everyone’s patience with my constant questions. It was an isolating and humbling season.
Everything shifted after my ADHD diagnosis. Finding the right medication was like flipping a switch—suddenly the information that once slipped through the cracks finally stuck. That clarity changed everything. To go from feeling lost and overwhelmed to now writing the documentation that helps others succeed has been one of the most meaningful turnarounds of my career.
How do you balance proactive planning with those unexpected fires that pop up in your role?
I come to work with a singular focus: to deliver my absolute best. My competitive advantage is planning. I ensure I’m completely dialed in on any incidents or roadblocks before I even clock in, so I never start on the back foot. This level of preparation allows me to attack the day with confidence and clarity.
How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work?
At my core, my family is my "why." They are the fuel for every challenge I tackle and the reason I strive for excellence every day.
My journey has been anything but ordinary. I’ve stood between the pipes as a semi-pro ice hockey goalie, where I learned to handle pressure, and I've educated minds globally as a zoology teacher, sharing a love for the natural world. For the last 11+ years, I have channeled that same energy into my career at GoDaddy.
I rely on a blend of learned generosity and a genuine zest for life to stay motivated. My background in athletics and martial arts instilled in me an unshakeable focus—the discipline to keep my eyes on the prize, regardless of the chaos around me. But it is my role as a father to children with special needs that has sharpened my professional edge. I have learned that while passion starts the project, it is unwavering consistency and routine that delivers the results. I bring that same dedication, structure, and heart to everything I do.
I’m incredibly fortunate to work alongside such a supportive team, including my leadership.
I’ve honestly never worked with a better group of people, and their support makes navigating my role so much easier.
How has your personal journey shaped the way you approach your work?
I approach my professional life with the same relentless spirit I pour into my family: with passion, dedication, and the deep satisfaction of a job well done. I have learned that true patience is a skill forged through experience, not just a personality trait. My goal is to bring that hard-won perspective and calm demeanor to every single customer interaction, ensuring that I meet their needs with the same care, persistence, and steady hand that I apply to the rest of my life.
If you had to describe GoDaddy's culture in one word, what would it be and why?
Support. I have learned that true leadership isn't just about managing work; it's about supporting people. In this regard, I have been incredibly lucky. My leadership has made an indelible impact on my life, offering grace and understanding when I've needed it most. Raising a family with complex needs requires flexibility, and on multiple occasions, I have had to step away to tend to my children. Every single time, I am met with unwavering support.
In my honest opinion, this team is the best of the best. They have transcended the titles of "managers" or "bosses", “colleagues” or “cohorts” to become true friends and allies. I say this with absolute certainty: I would not still be at GoDaddy today if it weren't for their compassion. To J, S, and B —thank you for standing by me so I could stand by my family.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
After everything we have been through, we have learned to breathe deeply and embrace the joy of simply living. We fill our days with movement and discovery—hiking, fishing, and taking road trips to connect with our roots in my wife’s home of Minnesota and my native California. We made a vow to flood our children’s lives with positive experiences, to show them a world that is bigger and brighter than the one they came from. And looking at them now, I believe it has made all the difference.
Our children have grown into incredible individuals. Our daughter is building her own life in California with her boyfriend. Our oldest son is serving in the Army, stationed in Germany. In a twist of fate that makes us smile every time we think about it, our middle son has also enlisted and is heading to the exact same base in Germany. To know they will be together, brothers in arms and in life, is a comfort beyond words.
Our younger boys are thriving in their own arenas. While our son with autism still navigates daily challenges with social cues and understanding the nuances of the world, he has found his freedom on the field. He is a phenomenal athlete, channeling his energy into football, rugby, and track. Our youngest is also a stellar athlete, having spent nine years on the baseball diamond, dominating as a club-level pitcher.
Sports have become a cornerstone of our family culture; teaching them self-discipline, teamwork, and the vital lesson of working towards the greater good rather than just personal glory.
For all the travel and touchdowns, the best moment of the week is the simplest one. Every Friday night, the world stops. We order pizza, put on a movie, and just be. It is our time to exhale, to look around the room at this family we fought so hard to build, and feel nothing but gratitude. We are together. We are home.
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