I moved to Brockport in 2017 after twelve years teaching chemistry at a university in Chicago. My wife, Rozenn, and I loved the energy of the city, but we realized we wanted to spend the next chapter of our lives in a place where community felt personal — and where daily life moved at a more human scale. Brockport was exactly what we were looking for.
One of the things I love most about living here is the walkability. I live a mile from SUNY Brockport, where I work as a professor, and I walk to campus every day. I also walk to the shops on Main Street, to local events, and even once to the doctor’s office when I got bitten by a dog! What continues to impress me is how much is accessible in our village — it’s more than I ever expected from a small town.
“I listen deeply, communicate clearly, and adapt thoughtfully — that’s how I serve.”
As a professor, my job is to make difficult subjects accessible, helping students find their way through challenging material. That means listening carefully, explaining clearly, and adjusting my approach based on feedback. I bring that same mindset to public service: listen deeply, communicate clearly, and adapt thoughtfully to improve outcomes for everyone.
I’ve been fortunate to work on many community projects here in Brockport. I co-chair the Walk! Bike! Brockport! committee, promoting active transportation and safer streets. I’ve served on the Police Reform and Reinvention Task Force, the Bridging the Closure Committee, and the Empire State Trail Town initiative. I’m also a Welcome Center Ambassador and have helped local organizations — from the Brockport Community Museum to Lift Bridge Book Shop — refine their missions and collect community input through surveys.
For several years, I have been the assistant Judo Instructor for our youth program housed at the University. Twice weekly, I not only help the kids learn the sport of Judo, but to embody the healthy aspects of physical education. In our class, we have a four-part oath that translates to: always tell the truth, never give up, always try new things, and have a good spirit. I not only teach the children that oath, but I try to live my life that way as well.
In 2022, I was honored with the Monika Andrews Creative Volunteer Leadership Award for my service. In the award citation, one community member described my contributions as “subtle, supportive, kind, and effective,” and said I’ve become “an invaluable thread to the tapestry of our community.” That meant a lot to me and continues to drive my desire to serve to this day.
My passion for creativity and lifelong learning led me to found a nonprofit makerspace here in Brockport — a place where people of all ages can learn digital fabrication skills, explore new technologies, and bring their ideas to life. I see it as a creative space outside of home and work that supports innovation, STEM education, and community connection. In the two years since the makerspace, IBiB, opened its doors to the public, we have offered free workshops to residents, helped girl scouts with their science and technology badges, and provided fun canal-related engineering activities during our Low Bridge – High Water festival.
I’m running for Village Board because I believe in Brockport’s future. We have so much vitality and so many assets to build on — from our historic downtown and canalfront to our incredible local organizations. But realizing our full potential takes more than ideas. It takes commitment, collaboration, and follow-through. I want to help move Brockport forward with thoughtful planning, clear communication, and creative solutions.
Our village has a strong foundation. With the right leadership, we can make it even stronger — together.
