What is your strongest talent or gift?
I believe my gift is faith and loyalty. As for talents, I have three: juggling, flipping coffee creamers onto each other, and blowing up balloons with my nostril.
Favorite season of the year: summer, fall, winter, spring?
Fall – I enjoy football season, moderate/cooler temperatures and family activities (hayrides, vacation, and Thanksgiving).
What is your favorite place to travel (realistically) and what is your dream travel?
Favorite place – Wonder Valley Christian Camp because of being “unplugged” from the grid and spending time at a peaceful place where I feel the Lord’s presence. I enjoy getting to share time here with my family.
Dream Travel – My wife and I have tried to go on a cruise a couple times with it falling through due to either finding out she was pregnant or having children too young to leave behind. Another dream trip would be to Australia because I love koala bears and have had a dream for a number of years of one day taking over Australia to change it to “Ganttland”.
Favorite home cooked meal? Favorite Grab-n-Go meal?
Home Cooked – Baked Chicken Breast or Turkey & Dressing with mashed potatoes (w/brown gravy), green beans/peas, and yeast roll/homemade biscuit.
Grab-n-Go meal – Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad or Grilled Philly Cheesesteak (fresh cooked with provolone cheese and grilled mushrooms/onions/green peppers).
Were you named after anyone?
I wasn’t named after anyone but was told a couple times that my parents had trouble deciding on my name and came up with it from a calendar on the wall (“J”- July, “A” – August, “S” – September, “O” – October, “N” – November). Interestingly enough I was born in November.
What makes you laugh?
I like comedy movies but I more often find myself laughing at life. I often tell people that “God definitely has a sense of humor and I am often the punchline.” My children, and their actions, make me laugh too.
What are you currently/most recently binge watching?
I don’t really binge watch but I am into sports podcasts for when I drive. My go to is the ESPN Fantasy Football Podcast with Matthew Berry, Field Yates, Stephania Bell, and Secret Squirrel #06010.
What is your most courageous moment?
Not sure if this is really courageous but I had no fear one time when I had my Walkman (cassette player w/headphones) in my coat pocket on a winter night during my freshmen year in college and attempted to serenade an upperclassman girl. When she came to the window, I pushed the play button on my Walkman, placed headphones on my ears, and proceeded to sing along with the sweet sounds. I am not so sure if the particular young lady, as well as the 10 – 15 young ladies who chose to observe through their windows, responded positively. (In case you were wondering, this was not the same lady I would eventually marry, I upgraded!)
Who has helped shape your faith and how?
Many have influenced my spiritual growth but two of the primary players were my grandparents and a friend named Tripp Harmon. My grandparents took me to church and out to lunch afterwards faithfully every Sunday from age 9 to 15. Their faithfulness to the church and each other impacted me. My friend Tripp was a neighbor who eventually became a youth minister for me as a teenager and God eventually led me to the same Christian college he was at.
What makes Groff and Associates different?
The spirit within the walls. The staff make-up consists of different personalities who all love God and have a heart for helping others that He brings across their paths. One thing I notice, when I call into the office, the greeting given is “Thank you for calling Groff and Associates. How may I serve you?”. In addition, each staff member is encouraging and willing to help other staff. There is such a positive vibe here!
