I am very proud U.S. Navy Veteran. I have been in the reserves for almost 15 years and plan to complete at least 20. I am married to my beautiful wife Erin and we have 3 amazing girls Summer, Brooklyn and, Rylen.
I am a distance runner at heart and you can often spot me running up and down Linton Hall with and American Flag as well as a POW/MIA flag. During some holidays and other important days in American history I will don a special costume. For example Christmas time I was running as Santa and Buddy the Elf.
I also love to volunteer locally and nationally. I support a few Charity groups to include Team RWB for military veterans. Inova blood donation, I will donate platelets as often as my body allows. Currently I am raising money for a group called SquashBusters in support of my Boston Marathon team.
I love this community and the supportive honks and waves during my runs. Love seeing the little ones faces light up when I am in a costume. I plan to keep this going for many many years!!!!
About JAMES L STANLEY
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married for 16 years this coming April. My family enjoys summer swim and doing all things community related.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a project manager as my day job which isn’t really all that excited but my time in the Navy has been very rewarding. I have done 1 mobilization to Djibouti Africa for a total of 14 months. My favorite thing about being in the military is the confidence it gives me in going for things that might be hard. Being okay with failing and learning from that failure, coming back and trying again with success. I hope that my passion can translate to others and help them on their own journey.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Like I was saying before. Be okay with failure. Be okay with trying something hard. Set realistic and achievable goals and push harder once you have accomplished them.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully retired from the military and still running up and down Linton Hall with Old Glory.
JAMES L STANLEY & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
El Tio has to be my number one. My girls would tell you Red Robin or Olive Garden. Wife is likely on board with me for El Tio but we love Cinco de Mayo too!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Bristow/Gainesville area for 13 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A wonderful person who I call my run coach Kathy Coburn. Truly the most genuinely selfless person you’d ever meet.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
It’s not gone yet but I am gonna miss Tuscani when they close their doors February 25th.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
It’s easy to say the support during my flag running is my favorite. I also love all the local breweries while it’s counter productive for my running.
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?
Harvey Lewis. He is a legend in the ultra running community but I can tell how humble and authentic he is. Lunch is a no brainer at El Tio’s.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Hacksaw Ridge for movie. What a great story! TV show I am loving Reacher currently.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have run a 100 miler in 1 day, most of which was on a treadmill in my basement while watching the Avenger series.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
This community. I know it’s cheesey but I’m totally okay with that!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
So many people. But mostly the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our country.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, My heart, Comfort