I’ve worked at Foodlink for 16 years because I believe that food presents an effective path to address poverty, which is the single biggest challenge we face in Rochester. I love working every day to leverage the power of food to reduce poverty and build a healthier community. That’s what led me to work on the creation of the Career Fellowship, the only cook apprenticeship in the region, which trains people with barriers to employment for careers in the food industry.

In addition to my work at Foodlink, I serve on several boards (Rochester Public Library and Action for a Better Community), teach courses at local colleges, and participate in my neighborhood organization. I hold a PhD in history from the University of Rochester, where I studied the history of food retail in urban America. I also play a lot of sports and root far too hard for the Buffalo Bills.

I am a proud homeowner in Rochester’s southwest quadrant. I bought my house in Corn Hill from my great aunt and uncle, who had lived here since the 1970s! I live here with my wife (Amy) and our 2 sons, Levi (4) and Isaac (2).