Justin landed in Washington, D.C. in 2001 attending The George Washington University and majoring in Psychology and Political Science at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

In 2004, he made the move to Rome, Italy where he immersed himself in a culture rich with culinary and oenological history. He fell in love with the “culture of dining,” and extended his stay to learn as much as he could about la dolce vita and continued to define his brand of hospitality.

Upon his return to the States, Justin trained to take over as wine director at the long-time neighborhood gem Cashion’s Eat Place. A short time thereafter was promoted to General Manager and Chef Cashion won the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic a few months following.

Then, in July of 2007, Justin purchased the restaurant from Ann Cashion and John Fulchino.

In December of 2009, Justin and opened A.M. Wine Shoppe, a neighborhood delicatessen focusing on a carefully curated wine selection, antipasti, sandwiches, and charcuterie. The project was inspired by the great salumerias of Italy as well as the small wine boutiques scattered across European cities.

In January of 2014, Justin founded TinMan Hospitality, an independent restaurant-consulting practice with a focus on system efficiencies, defining and improving culture, and management development.

In 2018 Justin accepted a contract in Vail, Colorado where he took over as General Manager for long-esteemed Sweet Basil for the 2018-19 Winter Season.

After falling in love with the mountains, he relocated to Aspen where he was the opening General Manager for Casa d’Angelo, before joining the team at The Snow Lodge (of The Surf Lodge-fame), in the St. Regis, Aspen.

After that winter season, he took over the reigns of the popular neighborhood spot Clark’s Oyster Bar for nearly 3 seasons before turning his attention to his own project, Down Valley Hospitality.