What is the biggest misconception about the industry?
It’s easy to assume property services are simple, and I get why some people think that. The truth is, properties are like people: each one has its own unique personality. Sometimes all they need is a quick haircut, and other times they need a trip to the emergency room with their children in the middle of the night. Over the years, I’ve learned that what we do isn’t just “contracting.” We’re really a logistics company at heart. Every time we bring on new team members, we hear the same thing again and again: “I had no idea there was so much happening behind the scenes."
What is your biggest current challenge at work?
Balancing growth with accountability. Pleasant View is scaling fast but ensuring our inhouse team and service partners stay aligned without being bogged down in excessive administrative related tasks remains a challenge.
What keeps you up at night?
Letting go of the “little” things that used to be a big part of my role. There was a time when I reviewed every work order, checked every hour, looked through the before-and-after photos, and gave feedback directly to the crews. I took pride in tweaking and adjusting the details, striving to get as close to perfection as possible. Now, those responsibilities sit with others. The business is better for it, but at night I sometimes catch myself thinking about those details. I have to remind myself that, based on just about every KPI, this is the right path, we have an amazing team, and it’s ultimately better for everyone, especially our clients. Still, it’s not always easy to let go.
What project is your company most proud of?
We're most proud of our stormwater projects. Growing up, I spent a lot of time crabbing on the bay with my siblings, and I can still remember being able to look down and see my feet on the bottom, regardless of the depth (usually this was to make sure one of my toes weren't about to be mistaken for a chicken neck!). That memory stuck with me, especially the day I looked down and realized it was no longer the case. Every stormwater repair or maintenance project we complete feels like a step toward bringing that experience back, giving others the chance to enjoy that clean and clear water the way we once did.
How does your ABC membership help your company?
ABC has helped us build more than just connections, it’s helped us build a network that’s evolving into a true team. By bringing together contractors, property managers, and industry partners, ABC creates opportunities for collaboration, trust, and long-term relationships that strengthen both our company and the Metro Washington community.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a professional snowboarder, until I hit my first big jump, which looking back was probably more of a bump than jump. I had no idea what I was doing, blacked out when I hit the ground, and woke up with a bunch of broken bones. Turns out the X Games made it look way easier than it really is.
Tell us something no one in the industry knows about you.
I still cry when I watch E.T. - don't tell anybody
What do you look forward to each day?
Working with the team. There are always some head down grind it out days but its hard to beat the energy after a big win with the people you work with so closely each day.
What are you like to work for?
That would be a better question for my team but I would like to be considered tough but fair.
What is your favorite metro Washington hangout/restaurant?
Old Ebbitt Grill - have you seen their seafood towers?!
Who would you trade places with for a day?
An uncontacted tribesman. I spent some time in the Amazon and I cannot imagine what it would be like one day to wake up in the jungle, completely disconnected from modern civilization - no awareness of global events, technology, or politics. I would have to imagine your only concerns would be related to survival so finding your next meal, protecting your family from anacondas, caiman, or jaguars. That kind of existence fascinated me and not the part of acting like a "caveman" for a day, but experiencing life with no context of the outside world, when your focus is stripped down to the most primal and essential parts of being human.
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
It’s been so long since I actually sat on the couch to watch TV, and if I make it to a movie theater, chances are I’ll be asleep before it even starts.
What do you do for fun?
I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a few months ago, and before work, I head to the local gym where I pay a membership fee so someone half my size and twice my age can beat me up and choke me out. It's.. so...much.....fun
What business/career advice do you wish you had when you began?
Not to sound cliché, but don’t be afraid of failure. There are plenty of moments I look back on and think, “What was I thinking?” yet some lessons can only be learned by living them.
One thing I wish I had understood earlier, though, is enterprise value. Specifically, how debt, when used strategically, can be a powerful tool rather than something to fear. That perspective would have changed the way I approached growth much sooner.
What book are you currently reading?
Radical Candor - Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity By Kim Scott
What was your first job?
My first job working for someone else was when I was back in high school, a friend convinced me to take a job as a cart attendant at Target, promising, “You basically get paid to do your homework.” That sounded like a great deal, until the D.C. Sniper showed up. Suddenly, walking around a parking lot with a giant Target logo on my chest didn’t feel like the smartest career move. Needless to say, both that job and that friendship ended pretty quickly. The irony? Today, Pleasant View has the entire shopping center under contract so I guess it all worked out in the end.