Darren grew up in southern Maine. After high school, Darren graduated from a California technical school for computer applications and then went on to study at San Francisco Community College. Many of these classes included art courses which is a passion of Darren’s. In San Francisco Darren’s eyes were opened to a variety of different cultures so he started traveling. He has visited France, Italy, Turkey, England, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, Peru and most of the providences of Canada. Darren moved to Maryland to attend the University of Maryland in Baltimore County where he studied English Literature and Education. He was involved with Habitat for Humanity to build houses for the poor and he also helped develop an after-school tutoring program for inner-city elementary school children. Darren and a few others organized a book drive that gathered over 3500 new and gently used books for an under-stocked elementary school library. He gained a small monetary award for the school’s library by writing a small grant. He has written poetry and had a few pieces published. Darren graduated with a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts and he holds a teaching certificate. He worked for a magnet school for the arts and taught middle school for several years. While attending school and working as a teacher, Darren worked part-time for a high end catering company.

Over time, Darren developed a fondness for his catering clients and started catering full time. Darren supervised some of the grandest events in Washington, D.C. to intimate lunches with the President of the United States. Although he isn’t a chef, he has learned a thing or two about cooking and the presentation of food. Presently, Darren lives in a small community here in Maine where he works as a substitute teacher and is involved with community fund raising. Darren has worked for Ironwood since the summer of 2008 and has enjoyed sharing his talents and experiences with our teens. Watching our resident teens mature and become self-confident, respectful leaders has become his new passion.