Mister Community

HOW AND WHY DID YOU BECOME: A PEOPLE’S PERSON?

Growing up in Oregon has definitely affected who I am today. Was it being the second born amongst a family of nine siblings? Was it having to get up early and deliver The Oregonian to all my paper route customers at the age of eleven or twelve, and then going back to many of those same customers to sell them Christmas cards (per the encouragement of my Grandmother)? Or was it the eleven years spent at Mt. Angel Seminary, run by the Benedictine monks, where community and hospitality reigned supreme?. I propose that it was all of the above, in addition to a strong example from my rather quiet but hardworking father, and the incredible monks at Mt. Angel Abbey.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST VOCATION? 

From my early days growing up in The Dalles, OR, I was always finding ways to bring people together: whether foreign or local. I recall bringing them home with me after picking strawberries or cherries, so that they could show us how to eat and cook their food (guess I was always a sort of foodie). Building a sense of community and bringing people together makes life interesting and exciting for me – hopefully for others as well. Whether it was my past ministry service, working as a community Realtor, or simply gathering friends for international dinners, being known as a “community guy” has always been a privilege and an honor.

YOUR DEFINITION OF A GOURMET?

Bringing together the common elements of a dish in either usual combinations, or to heighten those already there to create an unforgettable adventure of the palate.

OUR FIRST MEMORIES WITH CHOCOLATE?

Both of my grandmothers made the best chocolate chip cookies. My dad’s mother made the best, in my mind – always mixing in more chips to make them a bit drippy with chocolate. And at Christmas, my father would also always buy the family a humongous box of mixed chocolates.

SPEAKING OF CHOCOLATE, WHAT DO YOU LIKE, WHAT DO YOU EAT FIRST, WHAT DO YOU NEVER EAT?

Do you recall the story of the Apostle Paul getting knocked off of his horse on the way to Damascus, and his subsequent conversion to Christianity? Having been raised on average American chocolate- mainly milk chocolate -and then being invited to let a piece of dark Valrhona chocolate melt on my tongue,I felt like I was being led into a new world. It was a conversion that can never be undone.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE CHOCOLAT-E ADVENTURE?

All it took was an invitation – and I was fully in!!

WHAT DO YOU PARTICULARLY CARE ABOUT CHOCOLAT-E?

I want to build on our vision of bringing people together in a complete chocolate universe; a space where good chocolate is not only produced and sold, but consumers and our professional team alike can focus on creating a sustainable, ethical and value-based chocolate world. Together, we can make a life changing impact on those around us – both as those who enjoy good chocolate, and those involved in its process.