Greg Torres

“My father died when I was little, and I always envied the kids I knew who had fathers who wanted to play catch and other games with them. I was even envious of my friends who had strict fathers who told them what to do and when to be home. I wanted that too, someone to look out for me and tell me silly Dad jokes.

I met Greg Torres, who is now my father-in-law, when I was 32, far too old to be thinking about fathers telling bad jokes or playing catch or standing on the sidelines cheering enthusiastically for relatively unimpressive attempts at athleticism. But with Greg I got those things anyway. Almost all those things. He doesn’t tell bad jokes.

But he tells amazing stories. He doesn’t tell me what to do, but he does look out for me and stand on the sidelines cheering me on, regardless of what I’m trying to do, always giving me far more credit than I deserve. He isn’t my father, but something better, something that the term father-in-law doesn’t quite capture. At least for me. My daughter calls him Bunka, which I think is her way of expressing the love we all feel for a man who somehow manages to make absolutely everything better.

-Ari Torres

“Greg was my boss at The Mentor Network and has been my friend for many years. His quiet generosity and strong leadership helped me to grow personally and professionally as our company enjoyed great success delivering services to vulnerable individuals. Greg allowed, encouraged and helped me to do the work I loved while always treating me with respect. Greg Torres is a noble soul.”

-BJ Hopper