You went to NC State, but you’re a fan of East Carolina University sports?

I can explain! My dad went to ECU, and I’ve always loved going to Pirates’ football games. I even follow their baseball, although I’m not a baseball fan. I would have gone to school there instead of State, but my brother was the NC State mascot, Mr. Wolf, and at the time I wanted to go into sports management. After graduation I went to work at the North Myrtle Beach Sports complex, where I realized that the career path wasn’t what I expected. So, I took a job as a mail carrier in the Raleigh area.

What was that like?

You see a little bit of everything – and deliver lots of packages! It’s never dull. I got threatened, narrowly avoided being bitten by some snakes, and had multiple car troubles with my right-hand-drive jeep. We never had AC in the trucks, and we had to hustle all day to get done and back to the office by 5. When I started in Raleigh, I weighed maybe 225, and by the time I left the post office in Raleigh I was around 160. I then transferred to the Supply post office and was there for a couple of years before getting hired and finding my path at BEMC.

So what do you like to do now for fun?

I like to float with friends and my girlfriend, Deborah, in the canal at Ocean Isle Beach. She and I went to see a George Strait concert recently, and I had the chance to go to Elton John and Billy Joel concerts not too long ago, which were amazing. I love live music. And I have a favorite resort in Cancun. I’ve gone with my parents a few times and went with Deborah just a few months ago to celebrate her birthday. We love the spa there, and the fantastic restaurants. It’s just a great place to relax.