Owner of Sierra Delta LLC (Consulting and Real Estate) &

Jaeger Tracks (Guiding/Outfitter)

B. S., Mechanical Engineering, 2000

What role do you play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem?

Turning visions into realities. My expertise has always been my ability to ’see’ things in my head and then make them happen. Part of that is the ability to understand resources available and how to make them work together, and the other part of that is creative vision. Whether that’s understanding a market, having a credible idea, patenting it and making it a commercial product and reality, or launching a new brand, analyzing companies processes, identifying gaps or needs for improvement and changing them to achieve higher performance, or thinking of, planning and executing an unique outdoor adventure to some remote part of the world, it all boils down to having creative vision to ‘see' what something could be, putting the puzzle pieces together, and making it happen. 

What are some of your best memories of your time at Clemson?

Clemson is where my passions for the outdoors were able to flourish and lead to a career of doing things I love. While my education taught problem solving, it’s also where I got my first sponsorships as an outdoor athlete, and organically learned about branding, marketing and sales, photography, videography, guiding and teaching. I remember a lot of working hard in class, so I could go kayaking as much as I could. I remember a lot of adventures in the mountains of SC, GA and NC and life-long friends I made. I also remember starting an ‘idea book’ while at Clemson, and some of those ideas have since become realities. 

What were the key inflection points in your career after you left Clemson?

After Clemson I moved to Vermont and started a career in the defense and aerospace industry in parallel with my work in the outdoor industry. Not long into that career, 9/11 happened, and projects in the defense industry ultimately became a priority, and I worked with some of the best teams and people I ever have, solving life-saving problems. As the wars ran their course and wound down, I was about to leave for a solo month of fly fishing in Alaska when Eric Jackson from Jackson Kayak called to ask for my help. He was also who gave me my first sponsorship while at Clemson. I went to Alaska, then came back and transitioned full time into the outdoor industry at Jackson Kayak to transform them from a niche whitewater brand, to a national outdoor brand with a big presence in the larger fishing market. During that time, I conceived and launched new brands, received patents, but more importantly heard from so many customers that truly loved what we created and enjoyed using them.

What are your personal and professional dreams?

Personally, I just want to be a good dad and husband, watch my son grow up to be pursue his dreams and passions, be a leader and good person, and if he wants, teach him to be an outdoorsman and live a life of adventure with an understanding that time and memories are the most valuable commodities we all have. 

Professionally, keep evolving, keep creating, and keep living the dream, surrounding myself with good people, and spending my time the best I can. I’ve done and learned so much in my life, giving back and helping others seems like a good use of my time in the future. 

What would you recommend students do to maximize their remaining time at Clemson?

Remember that ‘remaining time’ are the most important words in that question. Make the most of the time you have there, and once you’ve moved on to the next phases of your life, don’t be afraid to pursue your passions. 

What else should we know about you?

I've always had a passion for snakes since childhood, and I even considered being a herpetologist. Instead, I just figured out ways to blend it into life, like searching for snakes in Belize while filming kayak fishing TV shows, or considering it a highlight of my kayaking career to find a rare Grand Canyon rattlesnake while whitewater kayaking the Grand Canyon, or helping good PhD friends working on protecting the endangered Eastern Indigo Snake and supporting conservation organizations like the Orianne Society. In 1996, I was featured in Clemson World magazine with one of my boas. Pic attached. Thanks to my mother for hanging onto that one, remember that was pre-digital days ;)