I first played a modern board game with some college friends around 2006 -- like many folks' introduction to the hobby it was The Settlers of Catan. I had never played anything like it and was hooked immediately.

Never one to start out slow and gradually work my way into any hobby I've ever had, as soon as I discovered that there were more games like it and a database called BoardGameGeek for them all, my first game purchase was Dominant Species. Our group played it a bunch, cementing both games as well as the thrill of searching for new, awesome games as permanent interests for me.

Since then I've had the pleasure of meeting many other folks with similar interests, have played hundreds of games and continue to the enjoy the challenge that they are and the community and fellowship they naturally create around a table.

I've been in the software industry in Raleigh, NC as an engineer for many years since moving from southeastern Pennsylvania to attend the University of North Carolina -- Chapel Hill. I met my beautiful wife, Jenny there in 2005 and we have 3 amazing kids together.

I have more hobbies than I have time, but also enjoy camping/hiking, woodworking, being bad at fishing, guitar-playing, bourbon-drinking and not doing CrossFit.