J has always been emotionally attached to water. He can go way back to his
childhood where he remembers always being the first one in the water. He
says life on land was fine, but it was complicated and being in the water
made him feel at home. He grew up wanting to be a problem solver, someone
who wanted to roll up his sleeves and get the work done. In college J went
about assembling a problem solver toolkit. And what he learned is that the
emotional piece, the human dimension,s so important. He gives examples and
says we need to do a much better job working with young people, the people
who we’re relying on to solve the problems the tools to stay emotionally,
mentally, socially, spiritually strong, to help them succeed. J has found
that nature has helped him be connected, to feel awe and wonder and joy and
peace and freedom. J believes we need to provide opportunity for young
leaders to get in the water, to give them space to restore themselves and
be energized to come back and do the work
