Getting To Know DJ
BORN: Lakewood, CO
EDUCATION: B.S. in Microbiology College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University
HOBBIES: Currently have two very large Saltwater aquariums with lots of exotic fish and other sea life.
FAMILY: I just became an uncle for the first time in May 2015
JOB BEFORE ENTERING THE APARTMENT INDUSTRY: I was the Liver Transplant Coordinator at University Hospital in Denver in
the Hepatology department. The job was fascinating because I got to watch patients who were literally days
away from death, make an amazing return to health with a new lease on life due to their new organ transplant.
FAVORITE “NEW” RESTAURANT: Angelo’s Taverina which recently was renovated from a family owned restaurant for over
40 years. The kept most of the old family recipes, but added some new favorites like grilled oysters which I
didn’t even know I likes. They have a great wine selection, friendly staff and central location near Govenor’s
Park
BEST DECISION YOU’VE MADE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS? My best recent decision was to put a large (250 gal) salt water aquarium
in my office. I get to take 2-3 minute breaks during the day to feed the fish, check the chemical balance, and
do regular maintenance. It is very tranquil and always lowers my blood pressure on even the busiest days.
HOW DO YOU KEEP WORK FUN FOR YOUR TEAM? I take my team out to lunch almost every Friday. It’s a fun way to end the week
and also a great time to plan the week ahead. I find it’s more helpful that a Monday morning team meeting.
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL PET PEEVE? Most recently my biggest pet peeve is when someone does doesn’t answer my
questions with a direct answer. If I ask a simple question on the phone like “where are you?” and someone
tells me “I’m on my way to the office,” it’s not answering my question, they are answer the question “where
are you going?” People need to learn to answer the question they are being asked and not the question that
they would like to answer.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AS PRESIDENT? I’d like to focus on the continual development of IROC Denver. There are a lot of
opportunities to support and provide resources for small owners like myself, including expanding the IROC
Toolkit and offering more education for them. If we think small in this respect, AAMD will yield big results in
the long run.
12 | TRENDS •AUGUST 2015
www.aamdhq.org