Men and Their Chairs
Pink's Celebration of Local Men
June 2025 Issue
There’s just something about a man and his chair. If a man’s home is his castle, then the king must have his throne, right? From Archie Bunker’s iconic recliner to Sheldon Cooper’s carefully positioned “spot,” pop culture is filled with men and their chairs. Here at Pink, we usually focus on the women of our community, but each June we give the guys their time in the spotlight. Some of these gentlemen seem to be always on the move, never taking a moment to sit down, but our photographers managed to capture them in their favorite resting spots. They graciously answered our questions and opened up about themselves. We proudly present a few of the Lowcountry's Men and their Chairs:
Paul Norris
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Career: Restauranteur
Family: Married to Jordan Dave Norris.
We have 2 beautiful young girls: Hartley, 7; and Marlow, 5.
My favorite motto or words to live by:
It sounds cliché, but my uncle always said, “Carpe Diem,” and I try to remind myself often.
The best advice I’ve ever gotten?
Snowballs make snowmen. Be stubborn with the vision but flexible with the plan.
Life is good because…
the pure love and joy I get walking in the house to my two daughters.
Something about me people would find surprising is…
I’ve seen over 20 Pearl Jam shows, yet Eddie Vedder, lead singer, doesn’t know I exist.
What has been your greatest adventure?
I never imagined I’d be one to get married, have kids, or even commit to living in the same place for long. Every moment with my wife has taught me otherwise.
What’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?
While taking a bamboo raft down a river in Northern Thailand, I saw an elephant cross the water ahead of me. Also, farmers came out to sell us the freshest mangos you’ve ever tasted. I hope to go back one day.
The No. 1 thing on my Bucket List I’ve accomplished
and the No. 1 item next to conquer is:
Running a marathon is the stupidest thing I put on my bucket list, but I knocked it out two years ago. The next bucket list item is never running a marathon again!
Tell us about your chair:
I got a call about a house for sale. I told him we weren’t looking. He said I should verify that with my wife. Turns out I was wrong. I took one look at the dock and realized, as usual, she was right.
If my chair could say something about me, it would say:
You are not good at fishing.
If I could tell the world anything, I would say:
Try everything once; you never know what your next obsession might be.
JR Brown
Hometown: New York
Career: Founder/CEO Operation Patriots FOB (Forward Operating Base)
Military Career: USMC K9 Trainer; Iraq Veteran
Married to: Stephanie (Look for Stephanie’s story coming in July!)
Family: Daughters Isabella, 11; and Elliana, 9
My favorite motto or words to live by:
“It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war.” — Miyamoto Musashi
The best advice I’ve ever gotten?
“The greatest gift you can give your children is to love their mother”
- Vietnam Veteran Craig Ostergard
Life is good because…
my family is healthy and happy.
Something about me that people would find surprising is…
I have tragically lost 29 brothers-in-arms from my time serving in Iraq to suicide.
What has been your greatest adventure?
Starting Operation Patriots FOB (OPFOB) five years ago. It is an organization designed to help our Veterans and First-responders find purpose beyond the call of duty and reduce suicide amongst our Nations Heroes!
What’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?
The birth of my children.
The No. 1 thing on my Bucket List I’ve accomplished
and the No. 1 item next to conquer is:
With over 32,000 visits to OPFOB, we have not lost anyone to suicide in five years. I plan to continue to use my platform to improve the quality of life for our Nations Heroes who have sacrificed so much for all of us.
Tell us about your chair:
The rocking chairs at the FOB around the fire pits have been the catalyst to helping our Nations Heroes open up to each other and build the camaraderie they miss the most. This helps them lean on each other during tough times just as they did while serving.
If my chair could say something about me, it would say:
Let’s Rock!
If I could tell the world anything, I would say:
Reach out to your loved ones and battle buddies, you never know what a simple call might mean to them!
John Brackett
Hometown: Reston, VA | Married to: Pam
Career: Fishing Charter Captain, Sweet Pea Fishing
Family: Daughters, Ella and Annalisa
Boat Name: Sweet Pea (P.E.A.—Pam, Ella, Anna)
My favorite motto or words to live by:
My father gave me a copy of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, If, when I was in middle school. It has stayed with me all these years. I recommend reading it.
The best advice I’ve ever gotten?
Keep smiling, even when you feel like you’re getting your teeth kicked in.
Life is good because of…
My family, and friends.
Something about me that people would find surprising is:
After leaving high school at the end of my sophomore year, I became an auto mechanic for seven years. I was also shooting photography and playing piano with different bands until I moved to Hilton Head.
What has been your greatest adventure?
The challenges and triumphs we all have every day have been my greatest adventure.
Tell us about your chair:
Through the years, I’ve been able to take so many friends and families charter fishing on Sweet Pea. I love seeing the excitement of new and salty anglers when they hook up. Our minds always go to what’s on the end of the line. It never gets old.
If my chair could say something about me, it would say:
John should sit still for more than two minutes.
If I could tell the world anything, I would say:
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return!”—Lyrics from Nat King Cole’s Nature Boy, (1948)
Michael DiJuan McNeil
Hometown: Beaufort, SC
Career: Nail Tech, Producer/Actor—Play And Eat Dinner Theater,
Roast Master—Gullah Drip Coffee, Realtor (SC and GA)
Single, no children
My favorite motto or words to live by:
Let The Earth Provide and Be Intentional.
The best advice I’ve ever gotten:
Be intentional with getting back to a place of peace.
Life is good because:
I keep experiencing the best of life every day.
Something about me that people would find surprising is…
I used to collect spiders.
What has been your greatest adventure?
Stepping into the acting industry.
What’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?
The crystal clear water in Hawaii.
The No. 1 thing on my Bucket List I’ve accomplished,
and the No. 1 item next to conquer is…
Accomplished: Earning my real estate license. Next to conquer: Earning my MLO (mortgage loan officer) license.
Tell us about your chair:
Seven years ago, I started my acting journey in Charleston, SC, moved to Atlanta, then NY, and now I’m back in Atlanta. I’m not just an actor now, but a producer with my own show!
If my chair could say something about me, it would say:
Michael needs two chairs.
If I could tell the world anything, I would say:
Speak to the things that speak to you.