I am an avid collector of license plates. When I was a kid, my dad took me to yard sales, flea markets and auto auctions. I always noticed the colorful and unique styles of license plates, so picked up a few and began collecting. My goal was to collect a license plate for each country in the world. After getting married and having kids, my hobby stalled. But, I picked it back up, with the birth of my son Hayden. At a young age, he took an interest in street signs and so our common interest spurred a resurgence of the hobby.
Q: Tell us about yourself, including a little bit about where you grew up, your education, your family, interests, passions, and career?
I grew up in Mauldin and graduated from Mauldin High School. I later attended Greenville Technical College and met my wife Tammy at a car show. We have been married for 33 years and have two kids, Brittany and Hayden. I enjoy creating art with license plates and enjoying nature.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in The Golden Strip?
I lived in Mauldin for 21 years and in Five Forks for the last 32 years.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a history buff.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Golden Strip?
Benjamin Franklin Watson. He was a farmer that grew up near our neighborhood in Five Forks. His former farm is now the Mesa Soccer Field. He taught me about the history of the area around Adams Mill and Anderson Ridge Road.
Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about The Golden Strip?
The Pizza Factory is nostalgic for me. The pizza was the best around town and I took my wife there on our first date.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Golden Strip?
Ice Cream Station, downtown Simpsonville.
Q: With so much growth in our area, there are always new places popping up. Tell us about the a “new to you” place that you recently tried.
Upstate Pinball and Arcade Museum.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME or NEIGHBOR?
Peaceful, relaxation, generosity.
Q: If you had friends or family visiting you from out of town, what is the one place that you must take them to?
Falls Park.
Q: If you had a free day with no plans, what would you do? Or where can we find you on the weekends?
Sitting around a bon fire, enjoying nature.
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
Sam Kinison.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Yosemite National Park and the Giant Sequoias.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
Always know where the Exit is.
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of The Golden Strip?
Everybody is a winner!