Taj was born and raised on the beaches and islands of southeastern North Carolina with a love for anything involving the ocean, especially surfing. After graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in Environmental Science he spent several years working for environmental nonprofits and in the restaurant industry while taking time off to travel the world for surfing and adventure.
He moved to Hawai’i island in 2008 to pursue a career with Hawai’i Forest & Trail, the state’s most renowned interpretive guiding company. During 15 years of guiding guests on public and private lands throughout the island, he developed a deep connection to, and appreciation of the incredible and unique natural and cultural resources found here. He specialized in connecting people to volcanology and native Hawaiian birds.
In 2020 he earned his Hawai’i real estate license and spent two years as a successful salesperson with Koa Realty, Inc. In 2022, he joined Private Homes Hawai’i as a property manager specializing in property management and vacation rentals.
He now spends his free time surfing, hiking and enjoying all the island has to offer, as well as alpine climbing on ice and rock in colder locales.