From the time I could walk, aviation was my world. I was the kid who could rattle off facts about the F-117 Nighthawk, SR-71 Blackbird, and P-51 Mustang like they were my closest friends. Airshows? My second home. That passion led me to Army Aviation, where I specialized in Hueys and Blackhawks and had the honor of being the first to stand up a UAV unit when it was still under Military Intelligence rather than Aviation.
After my military service, I continued in the aviation field, serving in tactical operations for the Department of State, managing daily ops, running the Embassy Liaison department, and eventually co-running the DOS Kandahar Airfield (KAF) operations—a 24/7 mission-critical role. From there, I transitioned back home and continued my work as a DOD contractor, working with companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. I ultimately earned the position of Chief Flight Test Director for Q-4 variant production aircraft. For over 20 years, my career has revolved around flight testing, engineering, and rabbit holes—because if there’s one thing I do well, it’s diving deep into the details.
But coffee? That was a different story. I hated it, no sh*t. It all tasted and smelled like burnt donkey poop, even the "premium" brands—until I stumbled upon specialty-grade, air-roasted coffee in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first coffee I could drink black and actually love it. That moment sparked what would become Legendary Aviation Coffee—a company that fuses my obsession with precision and passion for aviation into every single batch we roast.
We did alot of A/B testing in order to make sure our brand resonated with people. We didn't want to just throw something together and call it XYZ. We wanted to have a monumental impact.... And we created just that!
Today, Legendary Aviation Coffee isn’t just about coffee—it’s about community. Whether it’s the aviation, car, or veteran community, we give 10% of gross profits back to nonprofits that actually make a difference. When you buy from us, your money fuels real missions, not corporate pockets.
As for me? I’m in Rockwall, Texas, drinking my coffee pour-over style—because nothing beats the bright, sweet flavors it brings out. Right now, my go-to is our Dominican Republic Estate Coffee, which sits in the top 1% of the 1% of specialty-grade coffee. With its wonderful under tones of Caramel and Almonds, it's like an Italian almond cookie. Glorious cup of coffee!
And yes, if you ever hear someone call me “Cookie” or “Cookie Monster,” just roll with it—it’s been my nickname for years.
Thanks for reading and wondering who I am. Carry on!