Q: WHEN DID YOU FIRST FALL IN LOVE WITH COOKING?

I REMEMBER BEING IN THE KITCHEN WITH MY MOM AT A VERY YOUNG AGE. WATCHING HER MAKE ALL THESE HOMEMADE DISHES JUST LOOKED LIKE FUN AND BROUGHT ON GREAT MEMORIES.

Q: WHEN DID YOU HEAR ABOUT BLACKSTONE, AND WHEN DID YOU START COOKING ON ONE?

I BELIEVE TOWARDS THE END OF 2019 I FIRST HEARD ABOUT A BLACKSTONE. I WASN’T REALLY INTERESTED IN THEM AT THE TIME. IN THE BEGINNING OF 2020, A FRIEND GOT ONE AND SAID HOW MUCH HE ENJOYED COOKING ON HIS AND THEY STARTED POPPING UP MORE AND MORE. FOR MY 10TH ANNIVERSARY, MY WIFE SURPRISED ME WITH A 36” PRO SERIES AND I FELL IN LOVE. STARTED COOKING EVERYTHING ON IT.

Q: WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED DOING IT?

I AM CURRENTLY THE AVP, IT SPECIALIST FOR A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. I’VE BEEN WORKING IN BANKING FOR ALMOST 18 YEARS NOW. THE MAJORITY OF THAT HAS BEEN ON THE RETAIL SIDE OF BANKING.
 

I STARTED AS A RETAIL BANKER AND HAVE MOVED MY WAY UP TO BEING THE AVP OF THE RETAIL DEPARTMENT FOR MY CURRENT BANK. AFTER WEARING MANY HATS, SINCE WE ARE A SMALLER COMMUNITY BANK, I FOUND MORE OF A LOVE FOR THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF THINGS OVER BANKING ITSELF.
 

ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, I TRANSITIONED INTO THE BACK END OPERATIONS AND IT OF THE HOLDING COMPANY - MORE BEHIND THE SCENES KIND OF WORK.

Q: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT COOKING?

WHEN I’M NOT WORKING, I’M USUALLY SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY. MY WIFE IS A TEACHER SO SHE HAS THE SUMMERS OFF. WE ARE USUALLY HANGING OUT AROUND THE POOL AND SOAKING UP THE SUN.