Home: Eagle River, WI; Wausau, WI; The Villages, FL. Age: Older than I look. Birthplace: Melrose Park, IL. Profession: Retired financial services executive. Significant other: My wife, Deborah Richards. Alma mater: University of Wisconsin–Madison (B.S. and J.D.).
Current project: Focusing on personal pursuits and new adventures. Recent recognition: Fun golf partner. Latest accomplishment: Serving as the general contractor for a major addition to my lake home. Latest contribution to others: Helping the Stone Gate Condominium Association rewrite its legal governance documents. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Getting married for the third time. Hobbies: Golf, pickleball and socializing. Recent travel or adventure: Surprising my wife with a trip to Las Vegas to see The Wizard of Oz at Sphere. Recently viewed and recommended: Schitt's Creek.
Personality profile: Witty, bright, friendly and chill. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Inventive. Moral compass: Do the right thing. How do you define a perfect friendship? Complete openness and honesty. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Solid, flexible and built on trust. What is your greatest joy? Watching our children thrive together as a family. What is your greatest fear? Heights. What is your guilty pleasure? Briz's ice cream. What natural talent have you neglected? Making things. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Nursing professionals. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel. What is at the top of your bucket list? Exploring the south of France and northern Italy. How do you relieve stress? Exercise. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? The ocean.
What was your first paying job? Farm implement repair worker. What was your favorite college course? Ethical issues raised by biomedical technology. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Electric football. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Love Actually. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Pictures of my grandchildren. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My high school English teacher. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Always pay your bills on time. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Just do it. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? The smartphone. What is your favorite app? ChatGPT. What is your go-to source of news and information? World News Tonight. What company or organization do you most admire? SpaceX. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The stock market crashes of 1987, 2001–02 and 2008.
What is your big idea?
Creating a secondary marketplace where legitimate ticket buyers and sellers can connect without excessive fees.
What change would you like to see in the world? More respectful political discourse. What message do you want to send out into the world? Be the person you want your relationship partner—personal or business—to be. What widely held belief do you reject? There is life after death. What mega-trend most excites you? Artificial intelligence. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? The Long and Winding Road. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Robin Williams. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Photo albums and flash drives with pictures. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Visiting with my children and grandchildren. What advice would you give your younger self? Wait until you're older and more mature before getting married. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My first and third wedding days. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My second marriage.
Personal mission: Leaving the world better because of my contributions. Favorite quote: "It is better to get knocked down again and again than to get knocked down once and never try again" (frequently attributed to Robert F. Kennedy). Desired epitaph: A life well lived.
