The Emerald Coast has a pull, a draw, an undeniable attraction for many, and for me it is no different. I first came down here on Spring Break in 2000 with my college friends from Auburn University. And we came back for every Spring Break after that and stayed on County Road 30A.

After graduation in 2004, I headed home to Lake Forest, IL, which is a little town north of Chicago. The winters can be quite cruel and cold and dreary. I had to get away. I had to find a place to warm my chilled bones. And one lucky day the Emerald Coast came calling.

I found a job posting online for a reporter at the Walton Sun in Santa Rosa Beach (I have a degree in Journalism). So I called the editor many times until she agreed to hire me. Once she did, I packed my Jeep, aimed it south and headed for warm waters, sugary sands and rum drinks with little umbrellas in them.

I made South Walton my home in 2005 and have never looked back. The magnificent beauty and laid back lifestyle permeated my soul and infused into my DNA - I had found home.

My Journalism career led me into an Internet Marketing position - both have prepared me to ideally handle all the aspects of marketing and advertising, as well as client care for my wife Christina Meinen. Christina and I met along County Road 30A in 2006. We were married in July 2008 and started working together full time in July 2009.