Where did you go to high school and college? Bristol Central High School and Saint Anselm College
What’s your favorite sport? Football
How long have you lived in the area where you started your business?15 years
Professional Background
What inspired you to join the junk removal industry? I needed extra cash and started on the side of my corporate job.
Can you share a bit about your career journey leading up to becoming a brand president? I spent 10 years with a Fortune 500 metal distributor. During those years, I received five promotions. I started in the warehouse on a forklift after college, then moved to the credit collections department, accounting department, Buyer and Freight Services Manager, and eventually became Operations Manager of the Sheet Building. In addition to my corporate job, I started a small pool cleaning business, partnered in a beachside restaurant, and founded Junk Bear in 2019.
What is your favorite part of working in the junk removal business? The ability to make a lot of clients happy with our services.
Leadership and Vision
How do you define your leadership style? Fair and firm across the board. I speak from firsthand experience.
What are your top priorities as a brand president? Sales and culture.
How do you motivate and inspire your team to achieve their best work? By providing financial incentives and maintaining high standards with attention to detail.
Can you share a moment when you felt particularly proud of your team or company? Whenever the business is blessed with a large cleanout, our team steps up as a collective group to achieve the mission and complete the job together.
Company Culture and Values
What makes your company unique compared to others in the industry? We provide access to health benefits, retirement matching, PTO, holiday pay, and opportunities for growth. Additionally, we are building an accountability culture that we strive for every day.
How do you ensure the company’s core values are reflected in daily operations? We discuss them every morning and do our best to live them during the daily challenges of junk removal operations. We highlight when team members are excelling or when there are opportunities for improvement.
What role does customer satisfaction play in your company’s success? It is hugely important for gaining repeat work, referrals, and positive reviews.
Challenges and Successes
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your role, and how did you overcome it? The biggest challenge will always be balancing sales versus infrastructure, meaning the need for manpower and equipment. We overcome this by creating budgets and shift schedules.
Can you share a significant milestone or achievement during your time as brand president? The company won the “Best of Industry” award, competing against local junk removal and dumpster companies.
Personal Insights
What drives you personally and professionally? God’s will drives me personally and professionally. I aim to be the best provider, protector, and leader for my family and loved ones.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received in your career? “Burn the boats.”
How do you balance the demands of your role with personal life? The iPhone is a powerful tool—I believe you can balance both by integrating work into your personal life.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Attending live sporting events, dining at new restaurants, boating, and taking walks around charming towns with family.
Looking Ahead
What are your goals for the company over the next 5–10 years? Equity moments, expansion, and promotions across all ranks of the business.
How do you see the junk removal industry evolving, and how is your company preparing for that future? People’s desire for convenience will continue to grow, and their expectations for quick results will increase. As a service-based business, we need to show up and get things done immediately.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re particularly excited about? The Realtor Referral Fee program, which incentivizes realtors to make Junk Bear their top referral for junk removal services.
Fun and Relatable
If you could describe your leadership in one word, what would it be? Consistent
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? As a child, I struggled with speech and was very insecure internally.
Do you have a favorite story or memory from your time in the industry? One of the most memorable jobs was an industrial cleanout in Meriden, CT. As a young and inexperienced company with just a few trucks, we removed 750,000 lbs. of cast iron from an old government parts building in less than a week. We rented equipment, used old tools, and worked as a team to make it happen.
