Get to Know Our Team #20thAnniversaryEdition
As we continue to celebrate CollabraSpace’s 20th Anniversary, we want to take time to highlight members of our team! This spotlight series focuses on our team’s many passions outside of work. Our next team member spotlight is Najaf A., who is passionate about cars. Here’s what Najaf has to say:
“I’m a “car guy” and have a passion for all things related to cars. When I was 7 years old, my brother had a calendar that featured a high-end sports car for each month of the year. September (my birthday month) showcased a 1986 Porsche 959 in that classic silver metallic color the brand was famous for. The obsession had begun.
The 959 never made it into my garage (Porsche only made 337 cars between 1986 and 1993 and they all cost over a $1M today, so I guess it’s understandable), but cars continue to be the focal point of what I do for fun. I love finding a hidden back road where I can enjoy a spirited solo drive or meeting up with friends for a group drive. Skyline Drive, which runs through Shenandoah National Park, is one of my personal favorites as it’s 105 miles of curvy road that runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a very scenic drive with many overlooks; I highly recommend making a trip if you have never been.
When I’m not driving, I also enjoy parking and mingling with like-minded enthusiasts at one of the local Cars & Coffee (C&C) meets. These events usually take place early on a Saturday or Sunday morning and are a great way of meeting new people. Even if you’re not into cars, it’s worth going to one of these events to see the mix of cars and their interesting owners. A few local C&Cs include the following:
Burtonsville C&C (aka Church of the Holy Donut) – Burtonsville Town Square (15662 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866), every Sunday from 8:00 to 10:00
Maple Lawn C&C – Sidamo Coffee and Tea (8180 Maple Lawn Blvd, Fulton, MD 20759), every Saturday from 9:00 to 10:30
Hunt Valley Horsepower – Hunt Valley Towne Centre (50 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030), every Saturday from from 8:00 to 10:00
Potomac C&C – 19701 Fisher Ave, Poolesville, MD, every Sunday from 9:00 to 11:00
Katie’s C&C – Katie’s Coffee House (760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066), every Saturday from 6:00 to 9:00
Lastly, I’m a huge Formula One (F1) fan. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsports with it’s extreme engineering, logistics, and operating budgets; it’s mind blowing what these cars and drivers are capable of. Back in 2019, my son and I attended the Canadian Grand Prix which was held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. What an experience! I had never been to an actual F1 race prior to this, so this was a first for both of us and I’m glad I was able to share the experience with him.” #gettoknowtheteam #collabraspace20thanniversary
