High School Graduation Year
2003
What did you do right after graduation? College/career/travel/military?
College graduation? I became a travel physical therapist and moved from city to city taking 3-month placement assignments all over in order to travel and gain skills in several areas of my field. I spent time in Little Rock, Boston, Lexington, Dallas, South Padre Island to name a few. I worked in close to every possible setting you can as a Doctor of Physical Therapy (Minus a sports team, shucks).
Please describe DeSales in three words.
1) Innovative, 2) Supportive, 3) Inspiring
Where are you and what are you doing now?
I am the CEO for an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in New Braunfels, Texas. We specialize in rehabilitating people who have suffered a debilitating injury or illness with the intent of getting them back home to their loved ones as independently as possible. We treat over 1,000 inpatients and see approximately 20,000 outpatient visits each year and we are growing. In fact, we opened a 2nd location in town to accommodate the rapid growth and need in the New Braunfels Community. I am also the stepfather to 4 children and bio-father to 1 more for 5 total. The oldest is 18 and the youngest is 2. I’m currently weighing career options to see what’s next!
What do you like most about what you are doing?
Pertaining to work, and being in the field of inpatient rehab, we get to see patients when they are at their lowest levels and most vulnerable state and help nurture, heal, grow, and rehabilitate them back to the person they were before their injury or illness. We get to be alongside them and their families through the recovery journey until the eventually walk out of the facility and regain their independence. As it pertains to my personal life, I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my family and youngest son, teaching him all about sports and working on prepping him for little league.
What is your favorite memory about DeSales?
Senior Retreat: something magical is happening if you can get a room full of 17- and 18-year-old boys/men to sit around and cry like babies and acknowledge that we aren’t experts about anything and should soak up everything we can learn.
Who influenced you most during your time at DeSales?
- Mr. Morris taught me that physics doesn’t have to be complicated in the way he boiled it down to its most basic principles. I try to do this with anything I do so my little brain can see the big picture and put thing into a digestible perspective. “KISS” it as they say right? • La Srta. Trigg taught me that a memorable personality sticks with people and instilled in me a desire to learn Spanish which I have since done. • Mrs. Probus pushed me to reach beyond my comfort zone. • Principal Keogh taught me grace and patience through action which I probably didn’t deserve on more than one occasion. • Coach Joyce taught me you can stir your coffee with reading glasses, pens, or just about anything • Coach Butler taught me dry humor • Mr. Medley taught me to stay in touch with people
What classes and learning experiences did you have at DeSales that are beneficial to the work you do?
I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field in some capacity, so I made sure to pay extra close attention in classes pertaining to science, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and biology. Luckily, they interested me, so it wasn't too tough to be engaged. I didn't realize it at the time, but those classes prepared me very well. When I got to University, I found that I had a very good knowledge base and understanding of the principles presented. Because of that foundation, it kept me on the right track toward healthcare.
What is the most important thing you learned while you were at DeSales?
About myself, I learned that I didn’t have to be the smartest kid to be a great student. They aren’t mutually exclusive. I didn’t have the best ACT or SAT scores, but I learned that if I put in the work, read what I was supposed to, studied how I was supposed to, did my homework, and committed to something that it was possible to come out on the other side successfully. Through hard work I ended up with a 3.97 GPA which, in retrospect, shocks me and probably many other people. I haven’t forgotten that to this day which still keeps me moving forward looking for ways to improve both personally and professionally.
What advice do you have for current (or potential) students at DeSales?
I guess I would refer to the previous question. I’m evidence that it’s true. I learned that I didn’t have to be the smartest kid to be a great student. They aren’t mutually exclusive. I didn’t have the best ACT or SAT scores, but I learned that if I put in the work, read what I was supposed to, studied how I was supposed to, did my homework, and committed to something that it was possible to come out on the other side successfully. Through hard work I ended up with a 3.97 GPA which, in retrospect, shocks me and probably many other people. I haven’t forgotten that to this day which still keeps me moving forward looking for ways to improve both personally and professionally.
What is your favorite DeSales Event? Why?
Admittedly I don’t get to many events these days, though I would like to. I loved going to the basketball games in the Dodge Gymnasium. Every time I’m home I drive through DeSales to see what has changed. I have seen how beautiful the new sports facilities are. I have lived in Texas since 2009 but the plan is eventually to make it back to Louisville where my family still resides.
What do you like to do in your free time?
The world of TikTok we live in makes you believe any average Joe can do anything. They show you a quick 30 second clip and you think you can remodel your own kitchen in a weekend. Well, it's not quite that simple but I thoroughly enjoy learning a new skill and “DIY’ing” projects in my own home. After knocking a few out successfully, the list my wife has put together should keep me busy for years to come.
What is something people may not know about you?
I stumbled across a Rubik's Cube on day a few years ago and wondered to myself if I could solve it within 24 hours. I searched YouTube high and low for any secrets, tricks, or quick solve techniques. To my knowledge, these don't exist or if they do, I couldn't find them. You have to actually learn the algorithms, memorize them, and commit them to muscle memory. Well, the first time it took about 12 hours to solve but overtime I shaved it down and my record time is 18 seconds. I actually captured that video in case anyone ever wanted proof. I still keep one on my office desk and now. I couldn't even tell you how I solve it if I tried. I pick it up and my fingers just know what to do through constant repetition and muscle memory of those algorithms I learned years ago. I can be on a phone call and pick it up and a short while later I'm sitting it down again solved without even realizing I'm messing with it.
Do you still stay in touch with any of your DeSales friends?
I do! Many. I make it back to Louisville 2-3 times a year and I always make sure I set some time aside to meet up and catch up with the fellas. Whether 6 months has passed or 3 years since we last saw each other it always feels like we picked right back up where we left off. It feels like we just saw each other days ago. Brothers always.
What’s next for you/where do you see yourself in five years?
The current company I work for, Ernest Health, I have been with for 15 years now in 3 different cities. It is family to me. I feel that, in the very near future, I would like to be involved with project development on a national level, potentially seeking new locations to build more hospitals that can serve communities in need. Or I see could see myself overseeing larger territories of facilities within Ernest Health and helping grow new lines of business that may not even be on the radar for the rehab world. There is a big future with AI and robotics in healthcare and I am curious to see how inpatient rehab can be a part of this evolution. I’m feeling pretty creative these days and excited about seeing where that takes me.