I became interested in CERT October of 2007, while visiting the Gwinnett Arena COPS Program with my son Dustin on a scouting trip with Cub Scout Pack 506.

Being a Criminal Justice Student and taking Homeland Security at the time, I became very interested in the CERT Program after reading the pamphlet supplied at the CERT Booth at the COPS Program.

After September 11, 2001 struck, it has impacted me, as it has most every person who has directly or indirectly been apart of 9-11. I can tell you as most people could tell you about that tragic day, where I was and what I was doing the day terrifying event took place.

My home office of Hardware Specialty Company where I have worked for the past 16 years is located in Long Island City, NY. Our home office continuously gave us bit by bit information as the events of that day unfolded for 9-11.

The main aspects of being apart of CERT, it gives me the opportunity to prepare for such events of terrorism, as well as natural disasters, fires, and also the chance to reach out to people that require assistance. It is through continuous training exercises for fire and medical procedures that enables me to do just so.

It is my personal belief that CERT offers a place for most people who can dedicate their time, talents, and hard work. CERT Members are people who recognize there isn’t an "I" in TEAM WORK and that it takes everyone working together to form the Community Emergency Response Team.

I can describe CERT Team Members as selfless people that want to get involved in our communities and reach out to people in time of need. I have made it my personal goal to involve myself as much as possible and to further myself in learning advancement for when and if such events occur. If I can touch one person’s life or many, to me that means a lot.

I was once asked in an interview in 2003 by the former Police Chief of Norcross "Richard Miller". What my intentions were if he hired me for a 9-11 Operator? I responded, "I just want to be the one who saves someone’s life or impacts someone in some small way".

I didn’t get the job, however, I received a 150 hour Internship working with the Norcross Police Patrol Unit last year in 2007.

I am one who lets little discourage me, because I realize when one door shuts a better one opens and everything in this life time happens for a reason and the people that comes into our lives is for a reason.

People sometimes comment on how happy I am most of the time even through some of the worst of times.

I’ve learned through my own personal experiences we can let ourselves be victims or with the right outlook and attitude we can rise above and help those that have become victims of anything in life.

I will close in saying I am very honored and grateful to be apart of the Gwinnett County CERT Team.