Associate Board; Chairman

Born: Chicago

College and major: Marquette University, broadcast communications

Position: Project Manager at HBK Engineering“HBK specializes in underground utility work… I oversee a team of about 20 engineers in design and execution of the work, and I also manage some of the construction work as well with different contractors and oversee a lot of the coordination with the city of Chicago as far as getting permits and kind of navigating construction in downtown Chicago. I wear a few different hats.”

Passions outside of work:

“I really love to cook – I cook and bake. I used to be a little bit more active on the recreational sports side – I played rugby in college, and then a little bit after college. Unfortunately, injuries have kind of held me back from revisiting those glory days.”

Favorite activities during high school:

“I played a lot of sports in high school. I was on the basketball team and I got to the varsity level, and I also played lacrosse. Our lacrosse team was actually pretty talented, we won a few state championships, so that was cool.”

Favorite travel destination:

“I would say the Irish countryside – I’ve been there a few times…It’s such a beautiful country – I always kind of recommend to people: if you’re going to Ireland, don’t spend too long in Dublin, make sure you get out to the country because that’s really where the beauty and charm of the Irish comes out.”

Most influential person growing up:

“My parents. I was lucky, I had two parents who were really wonderful, and both worked really hard to be successful and they set a really great example for me and my sisters to work hard and figure out what you love. They were both very philanthropic, and still are, and that was a big lesson that they taught us: no matter where you are in life you can always find a way to give back, so that’s really important to me in life now.”

Mercy Home legacy:

“I hope I was able to make a difference in some way or another. One of the things I’ve really enjoyed on the associate board has been – for better or worse – I’ve definitely dragged every friend I’ve ever had into the Mercy Home circle. I think the legacy is to spread the mission.”