I'm a Beaumont guy. I grew up here, and there's something pretty special about getting to run a Luby's in your hometown. I've been working since high school, thanks mostly to my dad. When I was a teenager, I thought I should be able to quit my job during sports season. My dad had other ideas. He told me, "There are things you want to do and things you have to do. You have to work, so you might as well learn how to do the things you want to do around work." At the time, I didn't think that was very fair. Now I'm grateful for it.

My first job was at Jason's Deli, and I stayed there through high school and college. My career took me from restaurants to managing contractors for Dell Computers, back into restaurants, and eventually home to Beaumont.

For a short time, I was also a teacher. I worked one-on-one with elementary students who were struggling, trying to help them get from point A to point B. I loved it. Looking back, I don't think teaching and running a restaurant are all that different. People learn differently. They need different things. Sometimes you have to meet someone where they are, figure out what they need and help them see what they're capable of.

That's a big part of what I love about Luby's. I believe in giving people opportunities. We all make mistakes. What matters is having a chance to move forward. I've watched people come through our restaurant, work hard, save money and build something better for themselves. One former employee saved enough while working with me to buy a truck. Today, he has his own business. Those are the wins I remember.

I love cooking, too. If I'm at home, barbecue and gumbo are probably at the top of the list, and yes, I have my own recipes. I also love fishing, traveling and discovering food from other places. I've brought spices home from countries around the world just because I wanted to understand how they cook with them.

But my favorite thing is watching my own kids discover what they love. My son is crazy about soccer, and my daughters dance, ballet, tap, jazz, all of it. Maybe that's the teacher in me again. There's something pretty great about watching someone find the thing that lights them up, and then giving them every opportunity you can to grow.