Dude Talk Dinners Summit County

Having had the fortune of traveling around the world and living in different countries, I have come to appreciate the challenges life brings to us all. Regardless of what languages we speak, where we live and what we do for work, as humans we all face the same needs and dreams.

Living in Summit County, CO with my family for the past 5 years, and being part of a community where people genuinely look out for one another presents similar circumstances. Through my work at the Family Intercultural Resource Center, I have the privilege of supporting families, strengthening community connections, and helping people access resources that improve their lives. I’m passionate about building relationships, creating opportunities for meaningful conversation, and helping people feel seen and supported.

What I appreciate most about Dude Talk Dinners is the opportunity to gather with other men in an authentic and welcoming environment. In a world that often feels busy and disconnected, these conversations create space for reflection, connection, and personal growth. As a facilitator, I value helping foster a setting where men can share openly, learn from one another, and build stronger connections within our community.

As a USAF veteran and active Summit County school and Building Hope volunteer, I believe in showing up for the community we call home. When I’m not facilitating or volunteering, you can usually find me out hiking, traveling, off-roading, or enjoying quality mountain time with my wife, Susan, and our kids and grandkids.

My commitment to local mental health support is deeply personal. As a suicide loss survivor, I know firsthand the difference a supportive, substance-free space can make. That’s what makes Dude Talk Dinners so special: it is a relaxed, nonjudgmental environment where local guys can sit down, share a free meal, and have real, down-to-earth conversations. It is a privilege to help facilitate these monthly dinners and build those meaningful connections.

I grew up in Rockville, MD before moving to the mountains in 2003 for “just a season”. Cut to decades later and I’m still here... but now with 3 kids, 2 dogs, and a wife. Not necessarily in that order. I love connecting with others in nature whether that is bouldering, trail running, or fly fishing. I got connected with Building Hope in 2021 and have been an ambassador with the program ever since. I heard about Dude Talk Dinners this past Spring and had to check them out. I’ve been attending the dinners ever since and have loved making other local guy connections there.

Living in Summit County since 2013 has been a true gift. Over the years, I’ve built my family, put down roots, and had the privilege of connecting with so many incredible, mountain-minded people in our community.

I got involved with Dude Talk Dinners because I’ve experienced firsthand how, as life gets busier, our closest circles can sometimes get smaller. The friends I’ve made over the years are always just a phone call away, but there’s something different about sitting down across from someone, sharing a meal, and having a genuine conversation.

That’s what I really appreciate about DTD. It creates an opportunity to put the phones away, break bread, talk about life, and learn from one another. You never quite know what you’ll take away from a dinner, or who you’ll meet along the way.

I’m excited to be part of growing Dude Talk Dinners here in Summit County and helping create more opportunities for guys in our community to connect, share, and build meaningful friendships.