I LOVE VB! I’ve called Virginia Beach home since 1984. I went to Kings Grant and Kingston Elementary, Lynnhaven Jr. High, and graduated from First Colonial HS in 1997. My son, Chase, who turns 23 this year, was raised here too. Over the years, I’ve lived in just about every corner of the city—Kings Grant, Thalia, Great Neck, Bay Island, the North End—and now, Red Mill.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the U.S. and abroad, and I still believe Virginia Beach is one of the best places in the world to live. From Chic’s to Sandbridge, the Oceanfront to the Narrows, we literally live where thousands of people come to vacation. 

Now, let’s keep it real—this city isn’t perfect. We’ve got our share of challenges like any growing community. And I’ll admit, there was a time when I thought VB was nothing more than a tourist trap with too many cops whose sole mission was to ruin my night (if you know, you know). True story: From 18 to 40, I was a high-functioning alcoholic. Multiple arrests, and plenty of nights spent in the “VB Country Club.” But in July 2019, I put the bottle down and started fresh. 

After 20 years in corporate America—selling advertising for companies like Trader Publishing, FM99, and WAVY-TV—I decided it was time for a change. After my newfound sobriety I decided to take a leap of faith, got my real estate license, and launched a brand-new career… just weeks before COVID shut the world down. Yikes…

That spring, I was in a Zoom training when a speaker named Neil Mathweg shared how he built a Facebook group called, ”I Love Madison” (Wisconsin). He had about 500 members and I thought, “Dang, that’s cool—I’m stealing that idea.”  Right then, I created We Love VB ~ For Locals, By Locals with the dream of maybe hitting 500 members one day.

Within a week, we hit 500 members! A couple weeks later—1k. Then 5k. By the end of 2020, we surpassed 10k members. Today, we have passed 50,000 members! What started as a fun idea has turned into one of the biggest local community groups in Hampton Roads.

We Love VB has become the go-to spot for locals looking for recommendations, referrals, events, and news. Want to know the best lunch spot? Who to call for a plumber? Or even where to get a nose job? This is the place.

Now it’s time to give back to the city that raised me. Through this website, we’re rolling out We Love VB merchandise, offering advertising opportunities for local businesses, and—most importantly—committing to give back to the local community and to the locals that also call Virginia Beach home.