A childhood of surgeries and speech drills could have written a story of limits. Instead, we explore how those early challenges forged a mindset built on service, humility, and relentless follow-through—and how that mindset scaled from a single hospital room to a community-wide impact. Sitting down with my dad, we trace the arc from parochial school discipline to the Golden Rule culture at UCrops, where picking up a stray receipt and walking a shopper to the right aisle were non-negotiable habits. Those same principles later powered one of the most satisfying chapters of his life: Golf Samaritans, a volunteer-led tournament that funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars directly to Children’s Hospital of Richmond for real equipment doctors requested.

We get into what resilience actually looks like—turning teasing into toughness, trading pity for purpose, and learning to give honest feedback with respect. You’ll hear practical leadership lessons: underpromise and overdeliver, make the hard call quickly and kindly, and build trust by communicating early and often. We also talk about pivoting careers without losing your compass. When he left retail for custom building, the playbook transferred seamlessly: weekly meetings with trades, clear scopes and timelines, material planning, and constant follow-up. It’s project management as a form of care.

Threaded through every story are the same anchors: family first, friendships that last decades, and foundations—both literal and figurative—that hold up under pressure. We touch on staying engaged in community through the Powhatan Moose Lodge and Christmas Mother program, why phone calls beat passive scrolling for real connection, and how a simple mantra—worry about yourself, not the comparison—can quiet the noise. If you’re looking for a grounded blueprint for purpose, this conversation offers it: grit, gratitude, and a willingness to turn what you love—yes, even golf—into good.

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