I have been living in California since 1980 and moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in 2001. I am a 50-year-old married man and father of two beautiful children, a boy and a girl, and currently living in Castaic with my family. I have been in the sales industry for about 25 years and a Licensed Realtor with Phil Nordella & Associates.
In 2018 I was faced with the biggest challenge of my life. I was diagnosed with blood leukemia typically found within children and rarely found among adults. This left me in the hospital for 12 months fighting for my life. Within two weeks of being released from the hospital, I became overwhelmingly septic with respiratory failure. I was transported to Valencia’s Henry Mayo hospital and succumbed to a coma. I am proud to say that with the prayers and faith of my family I have beat cancer and I am now in remission.
While confined in the hospital, I continually looked at home stats as one of my motivating factors to get back out there to list and sell homes.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married to a beautiful woman and father to the brightest & funniest two children.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been in the sales industry for the last 25 years. I love meeting many people from various cultures and countries.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Kisho Japanese Restaurant and Salt Creek.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved to Santa Clarita Valley in 2001.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Roman K. A well-educated, great grandmaster chess player and a dear friend. His career as a data scientist has allowed him to travel many countries. The most recent being Botswana, Southern Africa.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to go on an African safari with my family.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Olympus Has Fallen, The Coldest Game, and The Imitation Game. Rules of Engagement (tv series).
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Always be honest and grateful for what God gives you. Live your life in the moment and to the fullest. Never waste your time on foolish things for Time is the most precious thing in life. Without time, we are basically nothing.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I have been extremely fortunate about accomplishing goals on my bucket list. I guess the last one would be to meet my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren.
Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
ABBA … just kidding, I do not have one really.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Wood Ranch Grill.
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?
For years I have been intrigued with the careers and business prosperity of Bill Gates and Donald Trump. Their success, positivity, and business strategies are interesting to me.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The safety.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Living in the countryside.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That I beat cancer!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been to?
The Sistine Chapel and The Louvre.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
June 26. The day I met my wife, our proposal day, and our anniversary. Christmas is my favorite holiday.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Sushi.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife, my parents, and P. Roger.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A grilled porterhouse steak.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, faith, and food.
