Hometown: It’s complicated!
Present City: Dallas (Lake Highlands);
Education: Baylor University, Bachelor of Music and Master of Business Administration;
Profession: Public Finance Investment Banker;
Tell us about your family?
I was raised in a very strong Catholic family, with my parents heavily involved in the church choir, youth activities and Sunday School. My mom was on staff at our church in Oklahoma for a time and directed the choir. I have two younger siblings, a brother who lives in Galveston and a sister in New Braunfels. All three of us have three kids of our own — each boy-girl-boy in birth order and very close in age, which makes our cousin get-togethers HIGH energy and just so much fun. Katie and I have three kids, Drew, 7, Annie, 5, and James, 3, and our days are filled with sports, dance and piano lessons, birthday parties and playdates. As busy as we are, watching each of them experience the world in their own way and on their own time is the greatest joy of my life.
How about your work or volunteer life?
Professionally, I help public entities issue bonds to finance capital projects (Collin Yarbrough thinks it’s fascinating). Our clients include cities, counties, water authorities, higher education institutions and state agencies, but my favorite work is with local school districts. Particularly in Texas, public school finance is a consistent political hot button, and there is a certain amount of “fight” you have to bring to the job, which I love.
Any favorite hobbies?
I enjoy running; I’m a failed marathoner, but too stubborn/prideful to give it up just yet. I have a hate-love relationship with golf, but keep going out there likely for the same reasons, and I will almost always jump at the opportunity to attend any sporting event (though my favorite is taking my kids to see their Baylor Bears).
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We first moved to Dallas in January 2011 and joined Wilshire after Katie started working as a missions intern that year.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I am a newly ordained deacon and currently serve on the finance committee. I attend the Labyrinth Sunday School Class and have previously taught seventh and eighth grade Sunday School.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I have a lifetime of introspective faith, undoubtedly thanks to my Catholic upbringing, and while I’m still trying to decipher exactly how, I feel very strongly that God is pushing me to focus more externally, being more attentive to the needs of his people — or what Timothy calls “exhaling.”
*If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire feature, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)