I’m a downtown resident (about six years) and not a native Memphian (that always sounds like something with gills to me). Prior to living in the MidSouth (13 years a resident), I’ve lived in several places in the country and have been very lucky to have eaten in several of the world’s greatest restaurants.
I was kind of a professional cook/chef way back when. I learned to cook fast in an IHOP and then well in a French restaurant operating under the brigade system. I learned French cooking the "old, hard way" - no culinary school, but the guy who taught me was an old school French chef (and you think Gordon Ramsey is bad? I think my teacher was FAR worse)! I have also written and published a cookbook AND received a royalty check. Please notice that I said ‘a royalty check’. Just one and not much of one either ($4.04 - no kidding. It is framed along with a copy of the book with a plaque reading 'The "Rewards" of Writing a Book'. Its hanging on my living room wall). BUT I am a published author!
One of my biggest challenges is being diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic in 2002. Probably stress induced and the extra weight and bad lifestyle choices didn't help (drinking too much, smoking). I've fixed the smoking - 11 years now. Not once! Not even a cigar until I smoked a hookah about 4 years ago (see the story). I now drink mostly wine instead of a LOT of vodka - always have been a happy drunk - thank you Lord! The weight is being worked on and I've changed the stress levels dramatically. How? I finally learned that it is OK to turn things over to God. I will be eternally grateful to the person that finally broke thru my sometimes way too hard-headedness.
Bragging rights: Two kids who live elsewhere. One wonderful grand baby (Sept 2010)! I still cling to the notion that I am WAY too young to be a grandfather. A BA in Political Science. Half way to an MS in computer science. Happily divorced for a LONG time, but "looking". I have two professional sports championship rings which I never wear-too big and gaudy-but good for casinos every once in a while.
Occupation: I’m an agency owner in health insurance – employee benefits specifically. I've been very lucky in my short career in insurance and I’ve had a lot of success very quickly.
Employment:
Company Name Position When
A National Insurance Company 2003 - present
Arena Football league teams General Manager 1998 - 2003
A Professional Hockey team General Manager 1997 - 1997
A Consultant to Fortune 500 Companies 1994 - 1997
A Software Company President and Founder 1981 - 1994
That's enough!
Education:
Westminster College, Missouri
Political Science plus computer science & a little comparative religion, 1972 - 1975
Bradley University
MS Computer Science-no degree, 1980 – 1981
Places I've lived:
Tulsa, OK; Pekin, IL; Fulton, MO; Peoria, IL; Southaven, MS; Memphis, TN. Unlike some in Memphis, I really both like and love this city. Often times Memphians don’t realize what great things their city has to offer.
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