About Me
My background
I moved to Destin, FL in 1994, after serving in the United States Air Force. I began my career in the construction industry. I predominately worked as a roofer during the daylight hours, and either waited tables or worked as a night auditor in the evenings. I was employed by and still consult for Destin Roofing Inc. I waited tables at the one of many of Guglielmo’s multiple restaurants, and even audited the proceeds at the Holiday Inn Holidome before it was demolished. I attended both Okaloosa-Walton Community College and Gulf Coast Community College before they became state colleges. After receiving an Associates in Science, I attended the University of Florida’s Chemical Engineering Program where I received my Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering. I currently own Florida Building, Roofing, Engineering Enterprises, and Services Inc. (FL BREES) and operate in Destin, FL. I am a father, State Certified Building Contractor, State Certified Roofing Contractor, Professional Engineer, and Destin local. I have been a part of this community for long enough to see the entire community change from a gracious and welcoming township we were extremely proud to embrace.
Legal Issue in 2015
In 2015, I was charged with Felony Battery. Some of you may know of the incident but are only aware of what one article posted. That is because I refused to make a statement that may harm another individual's reputation. I am willing to share my side of the truth that happened on December 15, 2015.
My wife walked my daughter to the bus stop at the corner of North Geronimo and Dominica Court. As I left the home to meet them, I heard my wife scream and the sound of at least one man yelling. I began running toward my wife and my daughter on the west side of North Geronimo at the intersection of Dominica Court. My daughter was facing north on Geronimo Street, and I could also hear my wife’s voice pleading, “Get off, Get off me, Please get off”. As I came around the corner, I saw my wife on the ground with one man over her and the other laying on her. I immediately pulled the first guy off of her twisting my body to the left 180 degrees from the scene. As I turned back toward my wife, the other man was on his feet charging after me, and I struck him in the face one time.
Unfortunately, I did not know the circumstances of the men on top of my wife, and I felt there was no time to access the situation before reacting. According to my wife and daughter, the incident unfolded in a very peculiar manner. My wife accidentally released the leash connected to a “T” restraining two dogs to pick up feces. Two men approached her yelling and cussing about the dogs being off leash. As her dogs approached the men in a curious manner, they began to kick at the dogs. She rushed into the group and grabbed the leash. One of the men pushed my wife and she fell. As she fell, she held onto the leash with a supplementary restraint shaped like a “T” branching to the two dogs. The union of the leash and the “T” pulled the man on top of her. As she was trying to get him off and sitting up, the other man reached over her attempting to yank the leash from her hands. She began yelling for them to get off of her, and I arrived at the scene.
My actions were not actions of anger. fear. My only objective was to ensure my wife and daughter were safe and protect them from any other violent behavior. The Walton County Sheriff’s Department did not press charges for 14 days after the incident. The first response from Sheriff Adkinson was that it was a misunderstanding. The man I struck did press charges which resulted in Felony Battery charges due to the extent of damage he received from the single blow. The case was seen before Judge Wells in December 2019, were the man refused to drop charges regardless of repeated apologies, and medical costs being paid. He sued my Home Owner’s insurance company for $160,000, and continues with the lawsuit. I made the decision to settle the case by accepting a deal of adjudication withheld and 3 years probation. This decision was solely intended to preserve my licensure with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). If tried and convicted, there was a chance I would lose licensure and not be able to provide for the families I am responsible.