What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
The technology … Growing up, I wanted to be an architect – to design and build things. I didn’t realize that what I wanted to do didn’t exist yet – website architecture, content, design and development, video post-production, and all the technology woven in between.

I’m fortunate to oversee the tech side of our business, and other aspects of the operation. Everything is constantly changing, and as a lifelong learner, I thrive in this environment – staying up on the latest digital tools. 

How did you get started?
My journey began with photography. I was introduced to the darkroom at summer camp. After graduating, I started working as a photojournalist at a daily newspaper. A personal highlight was covering the U.S. Summer Olympics training team and the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. While with the newspaper, I opened my regional color lab and began taking photographs for the healthcare and tourism industries. My company eventually grew to include graphic design and print production. Seeing growth potential, I moved to Florida. As marketing distribution channels evolved, so have Flying Compass’ offerings.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
My family and I love to take drives to explore – wineries, historic sites and museums, and disconnect at state and national parks and hiking trails. We always travel with our cameras.

What are your pet peeves?
People who aren’t open-minded.

Tell us about your family.
I’m an only child raised in Manhattan but attended school on Long Island and took the train in on weekends. Later, I went to live with my grandparents in upstate New York. Living in the city and growing up near the Adirondack Mountains, I’ve had the best of both worlds. We are the proud parents of a fur baby we adopted in recent years. He runs our household.

What are some of the things hardly anyone else knows?
I’ve hiked all 46 peaks in the Adirondack Mountains.

Who are some of your favorite photographers?
Ansel Adams, and Bob Holmes and Michael Melford, both of National Geographic.

What are some of the places you’d like to visit?
What you’ll find is that all of these locations have spectacular scenery … Alaska, Austria’s Lakes District, England’s Cotswold region, France’s Burgundy and Loire regions; Italy’s Tuscany, Umbria and Lake Cuomo; New Zealand and Switzerland and The Alps. 

In the continental U.S., the list would include National Parks:  Arizona – Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Hubbell Trading Post, Lake Mead, Montezuma’s Castle and Petrified Forest; California – Death Valley, Redwood and Yosemite; Montana – Glacier; New Mexico – Carlsbad Canyons; Utah – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Rainbow Bridges and Zion; and Wyoming – Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.

If you have one steadfast conviction, what is it?
If you are going to do something, do it right.