Hometown: El Paso, Texas, but he was raised in South Bend, Ind., and moved to Southern California in high school.

How he ended up in Cannon Beach: Wizard started his grown up years at the University of Notre Dame, where he studied business marketing. After two years, however, he had a change of heart and decided the life of a wage slave wasn’t for him. So he gave away everything he owned, hopped on a bicycle and made his way across the United States. As he rode, he supped on edible plants and honed a life philosophy that would serve him well in the decades to come.

“I learned to take each day separately, as its own,” he said. “I learned not to get caught up in going one direction, I learned to be spontaneous.”

After 5,000 miles, serendipitously, he got his first flat tire in Cannon Beach. He fell in love straightaway.

“It was an answer to a prayer,” he said.

Wizard stayed awhile in Cannon Beach, studying at Ecola Bible School before recommencing his rambling. Over the years, he spent time all over the country in places like the mountains of Arizona and Orcas Island, but he kept returning to the little town by the shore that had so impressed him as a young man.

How he ended up at The Kite Factory: Wizard worked for many years as an engineer before making good on his dream of retiring to Cannon Beach full time. He was introduced to the Kite Factory’s owner, Pinky, through a friend and before he knew it, he was running the shop seven days a week. Now, he hawks kites to customers of every stripe, from two-year-olds to 105-year-olds.

His daily duties: Ordering the kites and other products, (he used to make the kites, but found he couldn’t work fast enough to keep up with the demand) and arranging them into beautiful, brightly colors displays throughout the store.

His approach to customer service: Wizard’s goal is for every customer to walk away a little happier and a little more knowledgeable, not only about kites, but also about all the wonderful things there are to do in Cannon Beach. In fact, the shop doubles as an information center. And Wizard doesn’t do sales. He’s a hands-on kind of guy.

“I try to match a person up to a kite,” he said.

He bases the match on the age and size of the customer as well as their skill level, and he takes time to get to know each and every shopper. The approach has earned the Kite Factory rave reviews and a word-of-mouth chain that brings in shoppers from all over the globe.

The best part of his job: Teaching people to be accepting of less conventional appearances and approaches to life.

“I love turning peoples’ heads,” said Wizard, who wears his hair and beard long. “I love it when a farmer from Yakima comes in here and at first he’s hiding his kids from me and then by the time he leaves he’s turning and waving and saying, Thank you, Mr. Wizard!’ I love changing people’s prejudices against freaky-looking people.”

Common kite questions: Wizard keeps a list of the oddball inquiries he regularly fields, and he’s concocted a list of equally oddball responses. For example, when a customer asks whether the kites fly, he’ll fire back, “No, ours walk.” Or, perhaps, “Yes, but they have to be taught.” People also often wonder where the beach is and what time the wind starts blowing. And, of course, they come looking for Mo’s.

Most popular kite: The Kite Shop sells a small, stringless kite that can be attached to a pet or small child. Once attached, the kite billows out behind them wherever they go, allowing the less dexterous to get in on the fun, even when the wind is scant.

What he’d do if he weren’t selling kites: He’d devote more time to his interest in medicinal plants and herbs. And he’d relax.

“I’d sit on the river at home drinking beer,” he said.

Why the world needs kites: Kites teach people how to have fun, Wizard believes.

“People get caught up in daily life, in work,” he said. “They get stressed out and don’t know how to unwind. Even when they come to the beach, they want to know, What’s there to do?’ I teach people how to have fun.”

Aside from being fun, Wizard believes kites teach an important lesson in spiritual awareness and non-attachment.

“You learn to let go of the kite, but you can still retrieve it,” he said. “As long as you don’t fly over any trees or power lines.”

What makes working in Cannon Beach great: Its natural beauty and the people it attracts are key for Wizard: “It’s a different kind of tourist here. I consider them more travelers than tourists, and the difference is that a traveler knows how to act. They’re more genteel and laid back.”

Visit the Wizard: The Kite Factory is at 339 Elm Avenue in Cannon Beach.