![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/bjfspanish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33704\/2023\/08\/OWNMistyEdit-367-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nObviously, there is more to me than that. Where do I begin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was born in a small city in Louisiana, but I consider Mobile, Alabama as my hometown. After graduating high school, I decided to take a year off of school before making my decision to enlist in the US Navy in 2002. I spent about 21 years in the Navy and, as you can imagine, there are countless stories that I could tell you. However, here are the Cliff’s Notes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Stationed in Hampton Roads from 2004 to 2010. In that time, I was stationed on an Aircraft Carrier and at a satellite relay station. In 2008, I met the love of my life, Brandy. I asked her to marry me in 2010 and she said yes!!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/bjfspanish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33704\/2023\/07\/Wedding-photo-edited.jpg\")
<\/a>Wedding Photo at The Hermitage, Norfolk, Virginia-2010<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n - \n
- Next, I was stationed in Hawaii and I had the pleasure of working with Navy Seals. While in Hawaii, my family and I had many wonderful adventures. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/bjfspanish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33704\/2023\/07\/the-three-of-us-edited.jpg\")
<\/a>Brandy, Trystan, and I at the top of Kokohead in Honolulu-circa 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n - \n
- After Hawaii, I got stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois, where I did a tour as a Recruit Division Commander (Navy Drill Sergeant). This was the tour that I was most proud of, because I had a lot of professional growth there.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/bjfspanish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33704\/2023\/07\/RDC-edited.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- Next up, Japan! My wife and I spent 3 and a half years in southern Japan. I will always appreciate the Japanese culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/bjfspanish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33704\/2023\/07\/Shibuya-Crossing-New-Years-2019-edited.jpg\")
<\/a>Brandy and I at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan-New Year’s 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n - \n
- Last, but not least, we came back to Norfolk and made the decision that this would be where I ended my Naval career. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/bjfspanish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33704\/2023\/08\/wisconsin.jpg\")
<\/a>Onboard the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia-Summer 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n This brings me to the current chapter in my life. In the Summer of 2021, I made the decision to obtain my real estate salesperson license for the state of Virginia. This decision came after much deliberation as to what I’d like to do after I retired from the military. I wanted to be in a profession that had the potential for allowing me the freedom to live life for me for the first time in my adult life. I wanted to be able to do a job that I liked doing, rather than for just money. I also wanted to leverage my experience as a leader and educator to guide clients through one of the largest financial decisions they’d make in their lifetime. I promise I don’t take this responsibility lightly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being a Realtor allows me to set my own hours, work remotely, and have more control of my off-time. It also challenges me in ways that the Navy did not because, as an entrepreneur, I only get paid when I successfully close a transaction. This causes me to reassess my business goals on a weekly basis and constantly look for ways to improve my business. <\/p>\n\n\n
- Last, but not least, we came back to Norfolk and made the decision that this would be where I ended my Naval career. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
- Next up, Japan! My wife and I spent 3 and a half years in southern Japan. I will always appreciate the Japanese culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
- After Hawaii, I got stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois, where I did a tour as a Recruit Division Commander (Navy Drill Sergeant). This was the tour that I was most proud of, because I had a lot of professional growth there.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
- Next, I was stationed in Hawaii and I had the pleasure of working with Navy Seals. While in Hawaii, my family and I had many wonderful adventures. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n