A Life Built on Connection, Family, and Helping People Smile Again

Some stories don’t begin where you expect them to.

Valerie and I went to the same middle school, and she’ll still tell you she had a crush on me back then. We ended up going to different high schools, but her friend lived just a few houses down from me, so our paths kept crossing.

We reconnected a few times throughout high school before finally finding our way back to each other senior year, and that time stuck. We went to prom together and started dating toward the end of our senior year, so our story didn’t begin in college like a lot of others. It started earlier, with a lot of almosts before it finally became something real.

My path into dentistry wasn’t a straight line either. I explored a few different directions before finding something that truly clicked.
I started as a dental lab technician, and that experience eventually led me to attend dental school at University of Southern California and become a dentist in 2015.

For me, dentistry has never just been about the work itself. It’s about helping people feel comfortable, understood, and confident. I know that going to the dentist isn’t always easy, so creating a calm and positive experience for patients is something I care deeply about.

Outside the office, Valerie and I stay busy raising our three boys. Life is full of sports, outdoor adventures, and a lot of movement. We’ve always valued staying active and spending time together, whether that means hiking, biking, or simply being outside.

Since putting down roots in Hurricane, we’ve come to truly appreciate the kind of community that surrounds us. It’s more than just a beautiful place. It’s the people, the connection, and the feeling of belonging that make it special.

At the end of the day, I’m grateful—not just for the work I get to do, but for the life we’ve built and the opportunity to serve the people in this community.