>> short bio

What I enjoy about journalism is being able to tell stories. Whether being a government watchdog, or putting the spotlight on issues that often go unnoticed, journalism is my passion.

I'm currently editor for the Forsyth Herald. I am also the business editor for Appen Newspapers. Part of my duties include social media manager, multimedia manager and content manager.

I started as a reporter back in 1994 at the Beachcomber, Miami Beach Senior High's newspaper. While at my college paper, Metropolis, I was promoted to editor-in-chief. The newspaper, under my leadership, received many awards and statewide recognitions. 

In 2003, I started freelancing at The Miami Herald, I later became a reporter in the metro desk. In the summer of 2006, I was chosen for a general assignment reporting paid-internship at The St. Petersburg Times. In 2007, after graduating F.I.U., I accepted an internship with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. At the Knight Foundation, I learned essential online skills and helped to shape the future of media with the Knight News Challenge.

More recently, I covered law enforcement for  The Savannah Morning News.

As a hobby, I write movie scripts and even had an award-winning short film, Lucia. I blog, have participated in many Web developments, and I am an amateur photographer with some photos published in national newspapers alongside my articles.

I'm a graduate of the print journalism program at Florida International University.

In 2006, I helped to launch Maid Green, an eco-conscious cleaning services business, and a year later Sticky Fingers Cupcakes, which was voted Miami's Best Cupcakes. I have also freelanced several Web sites while my journalism career picks up again.

I write, record music and have performed live with several rock bands.

I grew up in Miami and now live in the north Atlanta-area, with my wife, Colleen, where I've been a freelance writer, editor and part-time barista.

I was born in Brazil to Lebanese parents.

In addition to English, I speak and write Portuguese, Spanish and can hold my own in Arabic (well, the bad words).

Traveling is also a hobby of mine. I've visited Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Brazil, Lebanon, London and several U.S. cities.