I grew up in Mahwah and graduated from Mahwah High School in 2010. At Mahwah High School, I played lacrosse and football, and was part of the Bergen County Championship Lacrosse team in 2010. I went to Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken where I played lacrosse and studied Business & Technology. After Stevens, I worked in finance in NYC for 3 years, quit, and started coaching lacrosse. Brian Callanan, who started the Mahwah lacrosse program, started another lacrosse program in Peapack, NJ at Gill St. Bernards. I coached with him for two years and then made my way to Mahwah. While I was coaching at GSB, I started my masters degree in Public Administration from UNC, Chapel Hill and decided to pursue a teaching career. I was lucky enough to end up in Mahwah where I was coaching.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have 3 siblings. My older sister and I are Irish twins, my younger sister is 3 years younger and my brother is 8 years younger than me. We are a competitive sports family. We love the New York Giants and playing poker/board games.
Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
I teach Business and coach lacrosse at Mahwah High School. I also run an off-season lacrosse club with the Ramsey Lacrosse Head Coach called Lightning Lax Club. I love making a difference in the students and players’ lives.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Andreas, Savini, Espositos and Nagoya
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I lived in Mahwah until college. I was in Hoboken/Jersey City for 10 years until 2022 when I moved back to Mahwah.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Anka Tezcan. Anka is a 2011 Mahwah Grad. He speaks multiple languages, runs a very successful international carpet business with his father, and competes in Ironman competitions.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Mykonos, Greece or Ibiza, Spain for the festivals and events.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Peaky Blinders, Yellowstone, and The Office
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Adversity is inevitable. One is to expect it, maintain a positive attitude, and see themselves through their hardship with the help of their loved ones.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
SkyDiving
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Dave Matthews or Mumford & Sons
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Fardale Deli
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?
Will Ferrell because I think he is the funniest man alive! And Jennifer Lopez, I think she’s the most beautiful woman on the planet and I would take her to Savini’s.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Having the Ramapo mountains/the Reservation
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
At Mahwah High School, teaching and coaching. I love to dance, and have patented dance move called “The Hurricane” – I’ve won 5 dance offs (serious ones where there are hundreds of people watching the middle of the dance floor) in the past 10 years.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have my masters in Public Administration from UNC Chapel Hill.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Nice, France or Amsterdam.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month has to be October because of the weather and football. Best Single day is my birthday, July 18th. Favorite holiday is Christmas.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The sport of lacrosse, a bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel from Bagel Train, and a Corgi.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My coach when I played at Mahwah High School, Brian Callanan.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Daisy Perfume and The beach
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home cooked meal. Mom . Love and happiness
