Work: Registered Nurse/President MVP Autism Foundation

Proudest achievement: In 2011, my wife Diane, my son Michael and I founded the MVP Autism Foundation to help those with autism and other varying abilities reach their fullest human potential. Over the past 12 years through our partnership with the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation we have placed close to 400 individuals with autism and others with varying abilities in jobs. We have given medical grants to families to defray the cost of uninsured therapies and scholarships to attend training for spelling to communicate programs. We also sponsor weekly yoga and have provided several health and wellness seminars.

Expectations for the future: I look at a future where non-speaking and unreliable speaking autistic individuals are treated with respect and acceptance. 

Favorite websites: MVPautism.org, Spellers.org, I-asc.org

Local or global causes supported: We support several nonprofits locally and nationally that provide services to the special needs community.

Favorite thing about Natural Awakenings: Every month it is jam-packed with informative articles and resources that help me live a healthier life.

Where I pick up my copy of Natural Awakenings: Unity of Naples

Most frequented healthy food restaurant: Lake Park Diner and Organically Twisted

How I support my community: Both personally and through our foundation, we are constantly giving back to our community. This past year we sponsored a baseball team for special needs individuals. We have provided mental health counseling during the COVID epidemic and provide triage services for special needs families moving into Southwest Florida.

Favorite inspirational quote: “Quiet people have the loudest minds.” ~ Stephen Hawking, and “My life is my argument.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

What I am doing to be the change I want to see in the world: My life is dedicated to a most underserved and underestimated population in our society; those who are non-speaking and minimally speaking autistic individuals. Through our collaboration with the Naples Spelling to Communicate Center, the MVP Autism Foundation is conducting presentations to medical and educational institutions for the Spellers Method and recently conducted an exclusive screening of the movie Spellers. Through the use of letter boards, non-speaking and minimally speaking autistics learn to express their thoughts, feelings and emotions. This process is creating a paradigm shift in how these individuals are perceived and how they can make significant contributions to our society.