Q. Who do you look up to in the scene?
A: I really look up to Bob Grant who literally started it all for me. He inspires me to this very day, and his work is truly one-of-a-kind. I have come to call many of the best builders in this industry my BEST FRIENDS! Bobby Martins from Sadistic Iron Werks, Aaron Iha from Chassis By Aaron, Jamey "HandMade" Jordan, Max Fish, Joel "Grommit" Sadenwasser, etc. all share true joy in building some of the baddest stuff on the planet. On the editor side, Courtney "Tito" Halowell, Mike Finnegan, and Johnny O have all been through a lot and have helped me develop through the years. There are so many amazing friendships that we have all formed through the years, and I'm truly humbled to call some of my heroes, friends.
Q. What inspired you to make minitruckin' a career? When and how did you get bit by the infamous minitruckin' bug?
A: Like I said before, I saw the mag in junior high around 1993 and was hooked. I worked retail all throughout high school. When I graduated I became a GM at Circuit City. I met Mike Finnegan while he was still at MT and hit him up about what it took to become an editor. I was tired of working every weekend and missing all the shows, so I bought a camera and applied for the job since he transferred over to Off-Road magazine. After a fairly intense hiring process I was selected and have been busting my ass on this same mag ever since.
Q. Are you EVER going to finish a project?
A: YES! And PS... I hate you, haha!
Q. Everyone wants to know how do you get your truck featured in this great magazine?
A: If you build something cool WE WANT TO FEATURE IT! It takes the complete package, there's no "magic" recipe. Just build what you love, and if it fits the bill we will make it happen. The one thing not a lot of people know, is that we generally want to be first to shoot and feature your truck, so if your dream is to have a feature in THIS magazine then it's best to hold out and not let others run your truck until after we do to guarantee the best chance of making it in MT.
Q. Have you seen the movie The Notebook? We heard you can't even watch TV sometimes unless there is Kleenex nearby-is that true? Could our fearless leader really be a big softy?
A: Man, you really did your research for the one-year anniversary edition, eh? Yup, I'm a giant baby! I cried like a little girl when I watched Marley and Me. I'm a huge dog lover, and whoever thought it would be a great idea for dogs to die at the end of dog movies should be shot.
Q. Do you eat healthy? We heard you only eat broccoli with a truck load of mayo, we hope this is only a rumor.
A: Man, you must have talked to my chick to dig up this kind of dirt! Haha, she tries to cook all healthy for me and even packs me lunches, but I always find a way to make it unhealthy again.
Q. So we know you are a hip, happening guy that is always on the go, your closet must really be a mess! Not like the ladies, who are closet OCD, with the hangers having to match the shirts and such.
A: YOU DID talk to the lady! Yup, I'm worse than a girl. Hangers all have to be the same color and evenly spaced apart, more shoes and designer jeans than most chicks...I know, I know... I'm a girl!
Q: So what is your drink of choice when you are at the bars? Shot of Jack? Vodka on the rocks?
A: Damn, you got me again! You know I'm going to go home and KILL the old lady now, right!? Haha, well in honor of my good buddy Chad Lucas, I have adopted the fruity drink ordering duties in SoCal. I love a good blended strawberry margarita any day.
Q. And finally, the plugs...anything you want to add?
A: First and foremost I want to thank my girl for being super understanding and very supportive of the long hours and traveling this job requires. Also, to my G-Ma and G-Pa who have been there for me through thick and thin, they have earned the "G" in their names by truly keeping it gangsta! I really just want to thank everyone out there for being so supportive of our hobby and lifestyle. I really have some of the best friends a guy could ever ask for, and I look forward to many more years of service. See you out there!