I spent my first 13 years working as an administrator at a county juvenile detention center, deeply involved in day-to-day operations. That experience gave me a clear understanding of how security systems affect staff and resident safety, daily workflows, and the overall mission of these facilities. I saw firsthand what worked, what did not, and where the gaps were. When I moved into engineering and design, I carried that operational perspective with me, focusing on solutions that would truly work in real-world conditions.

That perspective continues to shape how I approach correctional facility design, ensuring that technology, architecture, and operations function as one coordinated system. What motivates me is knowing that our work directly impacts safety, security, and the effectiveness of justice operations. These are facilities that need to remain operational 24/7, and when the design is right, it makes people’s jobs safer and more manageable. In justice environments, downtime is not an option. Reliable, redundant, and well-coordinated systems are critical to the safety and continuity of operations. That is what makes this work so rewarding.

To me, future-ready means designing systems that are adaptable, scalable, and built to last. Technology and operational needs change quickly, so it is important to build infrastructure that supports new tools and upgrades without requiring a complete overhaul. That starts with thoughtful planning around network architecture, system integration, and flexible control platforms.

Being future-ready also means anticipating how facilities may evolve, from changes in detention populations and programming to emerging security risks. These facilities cannot be designed only for today. They need the flexibility to adapt over time. Just as essential are lifecycle costs, maintenance, and sustainability, since the choices we make now will shape how these facilities perform for decades.

Security planning in justice facilities does not exist in isolation. It directly connects architecture, electrical systems, life safety, and operations. At GFT, our integrated team model means I work alongside architects and engineers from the very beginning, so security is built into the design rather than added later.

This early collaboration helps us identify conflicts, coordinate systems, and create solutions that work better together. The result is a coordinated, high-performing facility that enhances safety, improves operational efficiency, and maximizes long-term value for our clients.

I was recently featured in Justice Design News, where I share practical strategies for aligning security technology, architecture, and operations in justice environments. The article explores how early coordination and long-term planning strengthen facility safety and performance.

The Chatham County Detention Center expansion and renovation stand out as one of the most meaningful projects of my career. I began working on it in 2012, and it became a defining project in my career. Early on in my professional journey, it pushed me to grow technically, professionally, and as a leader. The project involved complex detention security integration within an active facility, requiring careful phasing and coordination.

What made it especially impactful were the people. Many of the colleagues I worked with on that project are still teammates at GFT today. The relationships built through that experience shaped how I approach projects and reinforced that the most meaningful work comes from strong teams and shared trust.

Spending time with my family is how I recharge. One of our favorite traditions is taking trips to Walt Disney World, where unplugging and being together is both fun and restorative.

I am also a movie prop collector and enjoy building replicas, which gives me a creative outlet that is very different from my day-to-day work. We enjoy camping when we can, and much of my free time now is spent cheering on my son at his college lacrosse games and my daughter at her cheer competitions. Being there for them is a powerful reminder of what matters most. That perspective carries into my work, where safety and community impact are always at the forefront.