Wesley was born and raised in South Florida, which included a long time in the Florida Keys. Wesley grew up catching snakes in his backyard and swimming with sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, always inspired by the animal educators he had seen on TV. This early fascination with animals sparked Wesley’s lifelong passion for animal welfare and conservation, ultimately leading him to shift from pursuing a career in law during college to a more hands-on path in wildlife conservation and animal care. Since then, Wesley has built a dynamic career that includes experience as a veterinary technician in emergency, wildlife, and exotic animal care; being a volunteer herpetologist at the National Aquarium; and conducting fieldwork capturing/relocating alligators and managing invasive species in the Florida Everglades. Though he chose not to attend law school, Wesley remains a dedicated advocate for environmental law and the protection of wilderness areas.

After nearly a decade in various animal-focused roles, Wesley transitioned into medical device manufacturing in Baltimore, MD, where they specialized in crafting custom skull implants by hand for complex neurosurgical procedures. In 2024, the opportunity to relocate to Truckee offered the perfect chance to reconnect with both animals and local community service, which eventually landed him here at HSTT.

Wesley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Florida Atlantic University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a non-profit management concentration at California State University, San Bernardino. Wesley and his boyfriend, Henry, are the proud parents of their beloved cat, Dahlia, and their Doberman, Cora. Outside of work, he enjoys gardening, hiking, baking/cooking, and taking every chance to plunge into a lake or river during the summer.