How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Our family joined in the summer of 2023.

How did you find your way here?
My wife, Alice, and I wanted to return to the Episcopal Church. I was traveling quite a bit that summer so Alice came here with her parents who live in South Carolina. Her father filled out a visitor card that Mtr Taylor responded to in such a nice way, that it brought us back.

Tamzin Sugiyama and Becky Friesen also noticed we were new and were very welcoming.

Where are you from originally?
France.

What brought you to the United States?
My family moved to Orange County, California for my father’s job when I was 12 years old. I returned to France to finish high school, and stayed to complete my first two years of college.

But I returned to the United States to finish my undergraduate degree. We had good friends from our days in California who moved to Charlotte, North Carolina so I looked for colleges that were nearby. I landed at Appalachian State (in the corner where Virginia and Tennessee meet).

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was raised in the Roman Catholic church. On my father’s side there are lots of priests and on my mother’s side there are lots of nuns.

What’s something you’re really passionate about?
Social equality. It’s something that truly keeps me up at night.

Getting involved with cooking for the Primavera Men’s Shelter allows me to be involved rather than sitting on the sidelines. I also donate to causes that help address the issue.

What role does faith play in your life?
It’s a reference point, and I’m open about it. For example, everyone at my company knows that I attend Saint Philip’s.

And our daughter Clara speaks openly about her faith and asks questions. She wants to participate in the 2027 pilgrimage. It’s neat to see her connect with something like that.

What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
So many things. From the very first service we felt welcomed. And there’s a real sense of community that extends beyond just attending service on Sunday morning.

How are you involved in the parish?
I volunteer to help fix things as part of the Phixers group. And my son Luke and I prepare the Primavera dinners together. He just turned 20 and it’s a great chance to hang out with him.

What do you do professionally?
I own a car restoration business called Vintage Metal Services.

My crew consists of six guys. The company started in our garage at home with one employee, and we worked only on Volvos. Now we restore anything from a 1930s fire truck to a 1980 BMW.

It involves a lot of metal work and doing things that are pretty custom—nothing you’d pull out of a catalogue.

How did you get into that business?
I have an MBA and used to do logistics. Cars were just a hobby. But then Alice and I moved to Kentucky and I met a man who became my mentor. He was an ace mechanic who knew all about British cars, and he taught me the basics.

When we moved to Tucson I wanted to get into the metal and paint aspects of restoration. I took classes and worked with a friend to master both. Now the company has two welders, two painters, etc.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I’d engage in some sort of social work. I’d probably build a community center so I could make a difference.

If you got a do-over for one decision in your life, what would it be?
I would probably embrace earlier in life not caring so much about what other people think and doing what is healthy and helpful.

For example, I stuck to the business of logistics longer than I wanted to. I should have gotten out of that and moved on earlier than I did.

What is an ordinary place that feels extraordinary because of what happened there?
Marseille in France. In 2021 our family lived a normal French life and immersed ourself in the culture. All three children attended French schools, we had only one car so used a lot of public transportation, and all our friends were either family members or French. It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us.

Everyone is bilingual and we all have dual citizenships. In fact, Luke has applied for an internship at a French bank.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned that has made a real difference in your life?
That communication is key.

It applies to so many aspects of life. I’ve learned how important it is to address an issue—with an employee, spouse, child, or friend—before it festers and becomes a dam ready to burst.

What’s something that scares you?
Not being here for our kids as they get older.

My parents live many time zones away but I’m lucky that when I call they always pick up the phone and speak with me. I’ve had some very interesting conversations with my father that I cherish. I hope I can be that same presence for our kids.

How do you relax?
I cycle. It’s one of the big draws about being in Tucson. Cycling is such an easy escape. I have time to think, process, and unwind while surrounded by beautiful scenery.

For the past ten years I’ve regularly participated in an endurance event called “24 Hours in the Old Pueblo.” It’s a relay race with teammates.

What’s something you’re proud of?
I’m proud of what I’ve achieved professionally and the kind of bubble/structure that Alice and I have created for our family.

Can you think of a decision you made that had a real impact on your life?
Daring to be honest with myself about what I wanted.

I had set a path for myself professionally and personally. But my experience wasn’t what I expected.

I went to medical school for two years when I thought about being a doctor. I hated it.

Then I went the corporate route and learned I wanted something different.

A lot of people scratched their heads when I told them I wanted to open a shop. But thank goodness for Alice. She was patient, helped me keep an open mind about exploring what would make me happy, and then supported it.

A second decision was equally impactful, right?
Ha! It was. I was at an open house for a bilingual MBA program and sat at the wrong table. I meant to sit at the Spanish table but landed at the French table.

My decision to stay at the French table is why I met Alice. Her French was truly impressive and we hit it off right away. We married 13 months later!

What’s something you know now that your younger self didn’t?
That no matter how strong or tough someone appears, everybody is vulnerable in some way.

Each of us has a trigger or story or past that we carry with us. The loss of a child, a bad relationship, the loss of a job. Understanding that people can be vulnerable is a way to connect no matter what might appear to divide us.

What are some of your core values?
Honesty. Starting with myself and with our kids; we have to be honest about what we want and expect. Without honesty there can’t be any trust.

And compassion. When I see people on the streets struggling, it’s important to remember that they’re human beings and it’s irrelevant if their situation is self-inflicted or not.

What’s something you’re grateful for?
I’m very, very grateful for my family. Our children have good heads on their shoulders and that’s very rewarding (and reassuring).

What’s one of your super powers?
Being flexible and open.

For example, at work I give people space to make mistakes and learn from them. Remember, in France you can’t fire people at will so you have to find different ways to let people grow, evolve, and improve.

It can be really hard but it’s worth it.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
Work to live—don’t live to work.

I’m only 48 years old but have been diagnosed with the beginning stages of a type of cancer. That’s changed my perspective on life.

When I started the shop six years ago I was invested pretty much only in making the business work. Now I’m equally focused on having a good home life and enjoying hobbies. My mentor always said to have hobbies outside of cars. He cautioned that if I don’t, then I’ll lose myself.

What’s something you haven’t done yet that you’d still like to do?
I’d like to travel more. There’s so much of the world I still want to see.

Where would you like to travel?
Japan and South America. Japan is such an interesting country because it has such a strong culture and was insular for so long. And America is almost the opposite; it’s wild and unruly. I want to experience that.

What’s a fun fact about you?
I may be bilingual but I’m horrible at languages. Alice can pick up a language in just a few months. I was fortunate to learn English when I was 12. Otherwise….