Kevin was born and raised in a small town in Upstate New York around 40 miles outside Syracuse. Like many Americans, Kevin is the grandson of European Immigrants. (Italian on his mother’s side/Irish on his dad's side) He attended college at the State University of New York in Geneseo (near Rochester) and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. During his junior year, Kevin applied to participate in one of the "junior year abroad" programs offered through the SUNY system. Kevin chose the junior year abroad program at the University of Seville which is really where Kevin´s love affair with Spain began. 

 

After returning to the US to finish his degree he very soon after graduation, headed out west to San Francisco where he started his career in Human Resources and worked for several years in SF as well as nearby Silicon Valley primarily in the hi-tech sector companies. When offered a very attractive role with Microsoft based in Washington DC, Kevin moved back east and began a 10- year career with Microsoft and was offered future roles based in Puerto Rico, London, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. While based in Europe, Kevin had HR responsibility for 18 countries within the European Union (including Spain) which allowed him to travel to countries he had only dreamed of when he was growing up as a little boy in rural Upstate New York.

 

In 2018 while based in London his 24-year relationship with his partner ended (very amicably) so Kevin was suddenly faced with having to completely re-think his retirement plans and strategy. With daily direct flights from London to Granada where Kevin has good friends (native Spaniards) who live there Kevin became more and more enamored with the area as he went for long weekend visits and eventually bought a home about 45 miles east of Granada in a small town of around 18,000 people called Alcala la Real where he currently calls " home".

 

Kevin enjoys studying languages, foreign cinema, wine, cooking, and gardening and is passionate about learning history and historical architecture.

Alcala la Real

City in Spain.

Quick facts

Alcalá la Real is a city in the province of Jaén, Spain. According to the 2006 census, the city has a population of 22,129 inhabitants. Wikipedia

Elevation: 3,012′

Area: 100.9 mi²

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