What does being a mentor for LAUNCH mean to you?

I place a great deal of pride in myself that I can help others achieve their goals and reach their potential, especially when maybe they don't see the potential that I do. 

What part of your role do you find most fulfilling?

I find it very rewarding each time I see these young men and they seem to light up when they see me, or when they are excited to share something with me. I want to be a dependable role model and support person for them, and it feels great when I sense that validation. 

How long have you been with LAUNCH?

Since August of 2021. 

What do you do when you're not mentoring for LAUNCH?

First and foremost, I am a husband and dad of three kids so I mentor them (whether they like it or not) and love exploring and learning new things with them. I also volunteer (or Grow) with Mustaches For Kids Richmond which raises money for local children's charities while having fun growing mustaches each November, and am also the Chair of the Budget Advisory Committee for Chesterfield Schools. Outside of volunteering, I am a Product Manager at Capital One where I work on solving problems for Finance by building software. And after all of that, I love hiking, building things, watching sports, and traveling.

What do you most hope LAUNCH mentees will get out of this year's program?

I hope these young men gain confidence in themselves to be leaders and to embody the values that LAUNCH is trying to instill. I hope that they see the support system of mentors and mentees that they can rely upon for advice, to keep them accountable, and to celebrate their success with.