Beginning at a young age I started working the fields of my family’s produce farm. This meant long grueling days in the hot sun completing strenuous physical labor. This was where I really learned what it meant to be a hard worker! Manual labor has always been enjoyable for me. Throughout school, I always gravitated to subjects involving hands-on learning or physical activity courses including those in vehicle repair, carpentry, and metal fabrication. All these classes gave me gratification for what I was personally completing and had a finished product to show for the effort I had placed into it.

I have been blessed to have family members who have handed down their expertise to provide me adequate skills of the trades.  As a teenager, I began working with my uncle on painting jobs on available Saturdays and even after weekly sporting activities. While in high school my dad and I purchased a property within Dallastown area that was in desperate need of repairs. Renovating that property helped me to understand and enjoy the hard work, time, and energy that goes into transforming homes. Shortly thereafter, I gained additional skills in fine craftsmanship when I was employed at a local custom carpentry company.

After high school, I attended Lock Haven University. During this time at college, I completed maintenance work on many of my professors’ homes and rental properties. In addition, my landlord was the codes inspector for the town and would also barter with me on many small and odd projects throughout my college career.