About Rob

Role & Responsibility

My name is Rob, and I’m the founder of Recon Rockhounding.

I created this project as a way to engage with geology and rockhounding thoughtfully, deliberately, and with respect for both people and the land. Over time, this project has become a place where learning happens through observation, preparation, and real-world experience rather than speed or results.

Background & Perspective

I’m a U.S. Army veteran and served as a Cavalry Scout, a role centered on reconnaissance, situational awareness, and decision-making in uncertain environments. That background shaped how I think about preparation, safety, and responsibility, especially when people are learning something new or spending time outdoors. Those principles directly influence how Recon Rockhounding is structured and why clear expectations matter.

Professionally, I work in the healthcare industry on the IT and data side, where careful analysis, systems thinking, and accuracy are critical. That mindset carries over into this project as well: understanding context, asking the right questions, and taking the time to observe before acting.

Entry into Rockhounding

Rockhounding entered my life in a much quieter way. My girlfriend introduced me to it when she took me on my first dig outside Hiddenite, North Carolina. During that trip, I found a piece of topaz with internal fractures that caught the light and reflected subtle rainbows inside the stone. It wasn’t about the specimen itself. It was the experience of slowing down, paying attention, and being fully present in the process. That moment stayed with me.

How This Shapes Recon Rockhounding

Since then, rockhounding has become a way for me to engage with geology, mineralogy, and the natural world in a grounded, thoughtful way. It’s less about collecting and more about understanding environments, patterns, and how discovery actually happens over time.

That mindset carries through everything connected to Recon Rockhounding from how information is shared, to how field events are planned, to how learning is encouraged within the community

Operating Principles

Recon Rockhounding is intentionally run with a focus on:

Clear expectations
Responsible field practices
Safety and preparation
Respect for land access and permissions
Learning through process rather than reward

I’m directly involved in guiding the direction of the project and maintaining its standards. That includes how events are structured, how learning materials are framed, and how the community operates. The goal isn’t growth for its own sake. It’s to build something durable, thoughtful, and trustworthy over time.