Home: Jupiter, FL. Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA. Profession: Analytics consultant. Organization: CJ Consultants. Title: Managing Member. Significant other: My wife, Marta Izydore. Alma mater: Duquesne University; Carnegie-Mellon University.
Current project: Providing a blueprint for businesses to retain their professionals in the post-COVID era. Recent recognition: Member of the Luminary Society of the Sweetwater Center for the Arts. Recent professional development: An article in Pittsburgh Magazine highlighting my family’s connection to Sewickley, PA, and the benefit of restoring historical structures for the community. Latest contribution to others: Recently attended the Hometown Foundation gathering. Hobbies: Basketball, tennis and music appreciation. Recent travel or adventure: London, England, and was invited to go to Saudi Arabia for the grand opening their new island, Sindalah. Last book read: Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan, by Carlos Castaneda.
How do you define a perfect friendship? Honest and open and without judgment and keeping what has been said in confidence. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Honest, open and driven by the facts, not by one’s personal initiatives. What is your greatest joy? My family. What is your guilty pleasure? Buying a wine, bourbon, or record to share with friends. What natural talent have you neglected? Playing the trombone. It was part of my life for so many years. What is at the top of your bucket list? The next big adventure may be back to Sindalah island, then on to Egypt. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Being with the kids.
What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? The Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Championships. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My music teacher, William McGlaughlin, who was the conductor of the Kansas City Symphony and now a nationally noted radio commentator. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Be the best at what you do. If you want to be a garbage man, be the best garbage man that you can be. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Don’t let your business life affect your personal life. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? The ability to play a record so it’s like the players are in the room with you. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Listening to an album recorded at 432 Hz. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Interviewing for an accounting job at Arthur Andersen & Co. and getting hired.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
That every employee is entitled to healthcare benefits and breakfast and lunch paid for by the employer.
What change would you like to see in the world? To see people take an interest in their small communities and make a difference there. What message do you want to send out into the world? Faith can conquer all problems or situations, and in this life, it will be tested. What mega-trend most excites you? The development of Artificial intelligence to a place where it takes over reality as we know it.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Life On and Off the Roller Coaster. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Robert Downey, Jr. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An astronaut. What advice would you give your younger self? Stay the course. Life is a circle; you have to be in the game long enough to see things come full circle.
Personal mission: To help as many people as possible with my time left here on earth. Personal motto: Love thy brother as thyself. Favorite quote: “Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming” (David Bowie). Desired epitaph: Lived life and succeeded.
