Home: Bellbrook, OH. Age: 51. Birthplace: Cleveland, OH. Profession: Sales, business, finance, education, management. Organization: Cintas. Title: Project Manager/Inside Sales Representative. Alma mater: Johnson & Wales University.
Recent professional development: Started a new position for the Cintas Corporation in the First Aid and Safety Division as an inside sale rep/project manager. Latest contribution to others: With a group from my church, we served alongside Back2Back Ministries in Mazatlán, Mexico, providing support for underserved children. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? I left a thriving financial sales career in 2009 to become a culinary teacher at a local high school. Hobbies: Camping, cooking, motorcycle riding, playing games, kayaking, hiking. Volunteering at church.
Personality profile: Creative thinker, problem solver. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Outgoing. Moral compass: My Christian faith. How do you define a perfect friendship? Caring, loyal, available. What is your greatest joy? Spending time with those I love – friends and family. What is your greatest fear? Disappointing others. What is your guilty pleasure? Peanut M&Ms. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Activities combined with relaxation.
What was your first paying job? A dishwasher in a bar/restaurant when I was thirteen years old. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? LEGO. It allowed me to be creative for hours and hours. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? I have had two mentors in my life, older guys that were excellent husbands, fathers and business owners. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Work hard, show up before everyone else, stay late, learn always, then work hard some more. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Surround yourself with people that have more successes than you. Don’t conform to the norm and strive for constant improvement. What is your go-to source of news and information? I catch up with what’s going on in the world from short listens to talk radio.
What is your big idea?
Once people graduate from high school, there should be a mandatory 6 - 12 months’ time of either military, community, social, or even faith-based service. What change would you like to see in the world? Appreciation of other's points of views. I think the art of listening and communicating respectfully is being lost. What message do you want to send out into the world? Believe in something bigger than yourself. In culture today, we are losing our sense of faith or belief in something greater than ourselves. What widely held belief do you reject? We are entitled to happiness, success, and prosperity. We are entitled to nothing. Rather, we must work, learn, and make an effort to achieve.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Life’s a Roller Coaster. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My mother, who was a great support to me as I grew up. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Photos. They are what you have to remember the life you have lived. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? I would go on a long motorcycle ride, eat a terrific steak dinner and spend time with my friends and family. What advice would you give your younger self? Think a little bit more before you act. Being spontaneous is fun, but I could have avoided a few big mistakes by going slower and thinking through things more. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day. All of our loved ones and friends together, seemingly in their prime.
Personal mission: Love God, love people, be forgiven, forgive others. Personal motto: Put others before yourself. Consider the positive ways you can make an impact and walk through life with that vision. Final words: Understand that you are not perfect, nobody is. Make mistakes, learn, receive grace, and move on. Become a better version of you every day by learning from others.
