Alyson and I are first and foremost followers of Jesus, trying to do our best to raise the four kids He’s blessed us with and serve wherever He puts us. While we can’t say we’re locals yet, lol, we have called this home for 24 years. Alyson was born in Columbus, OH and spent most of her growing up in Georgia but lived in Texas and Florida as well as a stint in South Carolina and Auburn, AL during college. She went to High School at Wheeler in Marietta. I’m an original Northside Hospital baby, grew up on the East side of Roswell when Holcomb Bridge was still 2 lanes and went to Chattahoochee HS, then on to UGA- Go Dawgs! Alyson and I have always loved participating and serving this community. Alyson started a non-profit called “Buford Cares” several years ago to help families in crisis and has been a regular volunteer for just about anything that goes on at the schools over the years. We also love helping Kim Phillips at the North Gwinnett Co-op and all the good work they do over there. If you’re a guy looking to make some friends in the community, I helped start a group this past spring call Men Step Up that meets every other Friday morning at Elixir Brew Co, Shout out to Chad Davis! Love making connections with folks in the community and we’re always up for hosting something!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We have been married for almost 26 years and have 4 pretty amazing kids, Kyle, Taylor, Bryan and Haley and blessed this past May to add an Awesome Daughter in law, Madeline. We also have 3 dogs, Cooper, Sadie and Lyza. Chances are good you’ve seen us walking Lyza the labrador up and down Hamilton Mill. The first 3 did K-12 at Buford already, the last one is a freshmen aka “the last Ryczek” in the system.
- Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve been in the construction industry servicing wholesale clubs and supermarkets for the past 25 years and co-founded my company Essential Construction & Maintenance Services almost 10 years ago. We do projects throughout the country. I love working with the amazing team we have assembled and figuring out how to exceed the expectations our customers. Alyson has had her real estate license for 25 years, but chose to focus on raising our kids, and me, which has been a full time gig!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
As the kids have gone off to school, seems we started eating out more! We love Rico’s, Bare Bones, Seasons 52, and of course Bravo.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We’ve lived in the Buford community the past 24 years this coming February.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Zach: I’d have to say Dexter Wood is the the most interesting person. To see the influence he has had in shaping Buford and the amount of young people and coaches he’s positively impacted is a testament to his faithfulness to following God.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Italy. Maybe Switzerland too.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
We’re not super big movie folks but “You’ve got Mail” with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is a favorite, so is “White Christmas”. We are big on Christmas movies. Recent family favorite was “Top Gun: Maverick”.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
We don’t think we got a lot of advice to give, we’re still looking for it from others! One thing we do hold onto in regards to following Jesus is to be obedient to what you know is the right thing to do. As Andy Stanley has said, “you never know what is on the other side of obedience.” We’ve found that there are some pretty amazing things on the other side of obeying something we’ve been called to do, even if it isn’t easy!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
One day we’d like to build our own house.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Alyson’s is Keith Urban and Zach’s pretty much anything from the 90’s, or what Haley refers to now as “oldies”…
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Not a business per se, but we loved watching and coaching the kids play basketball in the Old City Gym with it’s old bleachers and creaky floor and getting french fries with cole slaw on them from the concession stand!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Alyson: Joanne Gaines and we’d have lunch at Rico’s to talk about kids, family and all the things we seem to share a passion for! Zach: Jesse Cole the founder of the Savannah Bananas because I’m fascinated with how they serve their fans and have built an amazing brand in 10 years.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
It’s pretty special to be able to wave at folks while we’re out and about, or walk into a restaurant and know we’ll see somebody we know. Alyson is waaay better with names then I am so I’m usually asking her for a refresher when someone I don’t know is waving back at us!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
As our kids are growing and going, we’ll probably be figuring out where we’ll need to be so we can see them. However, they all seem to think we can’t ever move since this is home. My business is based up in Braselton, so chances are we won’t be far.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
We really don’t find a whole lot about ourselves that’s all that interesting.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Telluride, CO! Amazing place in the winter to go skiing and absolutely stunning scenery.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Alyson: Christmas! Zach: pretty much October through New Years Day. Love the Holidays! Love Football season.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A 10 out of 10 for us is having the whole family together in one place!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Since I’m filling this out for us, I’m going to say Alyson inspires me to be better. She is the most caring, sacrificial, thoughtful person and puts others needs above her own consistently. Her heart for our community and desire to meet the needs of others is Inspiring!
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Alyson: the Beach, Christmas Trees and Fall candles Zach: ditto Christmas trees, freshly cut grass
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Relaxed, Comfortable, Family!