What is your day job?
I’m on the winemaking team at Bonobo Winery, on Old Mission Peninsula.
How long have you lived in the Grand Traverse area?
I’m Traverse City born and raised, but I’ve also spent four years living in Australia and Napa, California working at different wineries.
What is your favorite aspect of living/working in the Traverse City area?
I love living near the water, I feel really lucky to be so close to the beach. The bay also helps with grape growing conditions to make Traverse City a great region for winemaking.
What do you do for fun?
During the winter, I love to ski and snowboard. In the other three seasons, I’m trying to lower my handicap on a golf course somewhere.
How do you get involved in the community?
By going to TCYP events and purposely shopping by small businesses in our area, we have so many great places to choose from.
What is your favorite local business (restaurant, shop, service,etc.) and why?
I really love brunch at Mission Proper right now. They’re a part of the Seven Hills building and have the best black coffee in TC, hands down.
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
I don’t know if I’d say “weird,” but in college, I briefly worked at a soup kitchen in East Los Angeles that also provided tattoo removal for former gang members. It was so rewarding that I did it a few times!
Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I have heterochromia- my eyes are both blue and brown.
What is something you learned in the last week?
I’m taking a summer sailing class through one of NMC’s adult education courses, and I learned how to read wind patterns based on the way the water moves in front of the boat.
How can other TCYP members support you (personally or professionally)?
By continuing to make cool events! The after work happy hours are always fun, especially when the table next to you happens to be full of Detroit Tigers players.
