When did you discover technology?

My early teens so the early 80s. I remember going to Kmart and playing with the Commodore 64 until I finally got one of my own. I would be there all day. Fond memories on the 64, logging into BBSs back in the day, writing basic scripts and things like that. After a technological hiatus as I trained to be a Police Officer, I jumped back into technology focusing on this new "internet" thingy. I researched Gopher and Telnet and signed up for @Home service. Lost some money on their stock by the way. I always like cutting edge tech, ever evolving and always exciting. I consider myself lucky to now play in the field as my profession.

What is your primary roll at the Aura Group, and has it changed much since co-founding the company in 1999?

To keep us a few steps ahead of the game. To set the direction, tone, focus, and drive of our company, and in that respect, that's never changed. And there's always securing new business, launching partnerships, and making relationships. That's really what it's all about.

You served as a cop for the City of Los Angeles at LAX and also World Port LA. What experiences from that stand out most?

There's really so much. Hard to signal out just one. I recall a high speed pursuit involving an ADW suspect, that's assault with a deadly weapon, which ended up taking out several Police units. In all, there were over a dozen units chasing this guy, including a helicopter. Pretty much all available units in pursuit, and he's literally going everywhere. We chased him around Wilmington where he ended up stuck on the railroad tracks after trying to elude us by driving down the tracks. Smart move. Actually, several of our units got hung up as well. It was a mess.

Another time that stands out is answering a report of a windsurfer in distress just out of the Angel's gate, which is the passage that leads outside of the Port into open water. There was a huge storm, and this guy was apparently trying to get back in when it really started getting rough. Even for our 35 foot fly-bridge Police boat, which was being tossed like a canoe. We got out near the break wall and spotted the board, but no sign of the rider. Fortunately, he was picked up by another boat before we made it out. He had drifted dangerously close to the break wall and probably would have ended up against it had the other boat not been close by. We radioed in, and started to head back when I look up and see this wall of water, a swell that's bigger than our boat and we start going up sideways and I'm thinking holy crap, we're going in the water. I've never seen the bottom of the ocean from the backside of my windshield until that day. Completely flooded us like a scene straight out of Deadliest Catch. Nearly put out our own distress call, but of course we would have never lived that up. I'll never forget it.

Do you miss being a cop?

It's a fun and exciting job, it's rewarding, but it's somewhat insulated with a ceiling for money and opportunity, but I loved it, and loved helping people. I miss the camaraderie with everyone in the department. I do miss it.

You also served several years on the planning commission for the city of Fullerton, including being its chairman. Now you're on the John Wayne Airport commission appointed by Orange County supervisor Shawn Nelson. What are your duties there?

Help oversee all operations in airport area as it relates to improvements, budget and development. A little of everything. John Wayne is a great airport, and we're currently expanding with a whole new terminal complete with a new parking structure. It will still carry the same charm and character of a smaller airport, just able to accommodate many more flights and passengers. It only takes a few days a month out of my schedule, and I'm enjoying the appointment.

How did you go from chasing bad guys and keeping the peace to running a succeful interactive advertising agency?

Surgery. What would be my last days on the job, I starting to lose the feeling in my leg due to nerve damage in my back. It got to the point where I had to have surgery. Since I was unable to perform on the job, the department asked me to retire. While in rehab, I focused on building Aura and the rest, as they say, is history.

Aura has expanded into the entertainment field with the launch of MovieConnect. How has this changed the focus of the business?

Aura has always been into exciting markets, and interesting brands and products. We've steered clear of financial type business or things we don't find exciting. Plus, being close to Hollywood, it made sense and a natural fit to get involved with the entertainment industry in some capacity. MovieConnect was born out of working with the studios while working on various forms of creative, and it has grown and evolved as we create. Aura continues to evolve along with it, but we have remained the same company with the same principal plans and ideals.

In addition to being married, your increasing daily responsibilities at Aura, your assignment with the Santa Ana Airport, you are also co-founder and partner at Matador Cantina, a popular Mexican restaurant in historic downtown Fullerton. How do you juggle it all?

Well fortunately the Aura offices are directly above the restaurant on the second floor of the same building, which makes it convenient to stop in whenever to check on things. I also have a great staff at Aura, who operate very efficiently and independently from a day to day standpoint, whether I'm there or not. Aura is my primary responsibility, of course after my family. The appointment at the airport and Matador come next. Quite honestly, I've learned to prioritize, but it's always a balancing act.

What do you enjoy most about Aura?

Helping a client conceptualize a need and then delivering on it. That's the real reward. Sitting with the client, and outlining how a product or service will function, using my team's interactive knowledge, our infrastructure and technology resources to deliver a stellar product.

What do you do when you are not working?

Probably something involving golf. Honestly, I think it's important to have a good work/life balance. When I was younger I just worked. I lived for work and nearly lived at the office working round the clock, and then some. Now I enjoy golf, getting out with friends and family, dining out. Spending time with my wife Adrienne. Going out for a cocktail. Or even just taking a nice long walk with our dog Oscar.

What is your favorite music?

Anything that reminds me of different time periods of my life. The 80s & 90s. But I like all types of music really. Lately I've been getting into New Orleans jazz. There's a show on HBO called Treme. Been watching the last 2 or 3 seasons and over that time I've come to appreciate all the layers of sounds and all. Great stuff.

Favorite TV show?

Some of my favorite TV is on Discovery Channel. I can watch how it's made all day long. My favorite shows in all honesty most anything produced by HBO. Their content and production value is very entertaining. I do like Weeds, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Boardwalk.

Mac or PC?

PC

iPhone or Droid?

iPhone

Those who visit the Aura Group offices know of the vintage Centipede arcade game which staffers enjoy to break up the day. What's your high score and who uses it most?

I reached 73,000 and change last week, but I can't beat Doug (laughs), who's top score is 130k. I have been playing a lot lately. Sometimes it's nice to bang on a machine.