I have an amazing and loving family, to whom I owe everything. As a kid I enjoyed sports and I've played soccer for most of my life. Legos and Link-n-Logs were also a hobby of mine and I was always taking things apart to try and figure out how they work. Although I enjoyed growing up in a big city, I fell head over heels for Mother Nature and all she has to offer. My grandfather and uncle took me on hunting trips as a little kid and I haven't been the same since. From backpacking in Colorado, canoeing the Rio Grande, and studying abroad in Europe, I am always welcoming the next adventure.

Most importantly, I believe the small things truly define who I am. I have a hammock hung up in my room, and I am the type of person who will spontaneously grab a sleeping bag and sleep in the backyard just for fun. I consider myself to be independent and outgoing, and I love to meet new people. I always try to view the glass as half full in every situation and I strive to live life to the fullest.

I am currently working as an oil and gas consulting engineer in Houston, TX after graduating from UT in 2008 with a Mechanical Engineering degree. I enjoy engineering and I believe it has helped shape who I am today and how I address everyday situations.

Representing UT, the Texas 4000, and everything they have to stand for was an incredible pleasure of mine and an honor that I will hold with me for the rest of my life.

If you think biking 4,500 miles is hard, try fighting cancer. Diagnosed or not, we are all affected by it, and it is something nobody should ever have to deal with. For the longest time, fighting cancer was a lost hope for most. With the technological advancements and great medical minds of today, we have already dramatically decreased the number of lives claimed, and I strongly believe that with further research, we can save millions of more. Albert Einstein once said, "The world is not dangerous because of those who do harm, but because of those who look at the world without doing anything." We cannot just look at the world from afar and hope that our problems are resolved. By joining together and acting under a strong belief that we will find a cure, I believe that we will one day be living in a cancer-free world. To beat cancer we have to tackle the challenge one step at a time, and the Texas 4000 organization is a great place to start. Not only do we raise millions of dollars, we inspire others to rise up and join the fight. I want to ride for those who can't, and instill the hope and dream of overcoming cancer into as many hearts as I possibly can.