Home: Fresno, CA. Age: 50-something. Birthplace: Omaha, NE. Profession: Human Resources. Title: Controller. Alma mater: California State University (Fresno), Craig School of Business.
Recent recognition: Craig School of Business graduate with distinction. Hobbies: Travel, collecting art, touring museums. Recent travel or adventure: Yucatan, Mexico, to tour archaeological sites. Last book read: Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service, by Gary Sinise.
Personality profile: Funny, pensive, introspective, persistent. What is your greatest joy? Art collecting. What natural talent have you neglected? Public speaking. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Police officers. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Purchasing art. What is at the top of your bucket list? Travel to Machu Picchu. How do you relieve stress? Taking a long walk. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Seaside vacation.
What was your first paying job? Ice cream scooper at Thrifty Drug. What was your favorite college course? Philosophy 101. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Monopoly. What movie have you repeatedly watched? What Dreams May Come. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? William Wray’s Three Points painting. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Plans change, you have to be adaptable. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11, which I watched unfolding live on CNN.
What change would you like to see in the world? A lowering of medication prices and distribution to impoverished countries. What message do you want to send out into the world? Be kind to everyone around you. What mega-trend most excites you? The use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My best friend, Chris Hill, who died in our twenties. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? William Wray’s Three Points painting. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my best friend, Julie Valles, hiking in Machu Picchu. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My thirties, to get my graduate degree earlier.
Personal motto: Make every interaction a positive one. Favorite quote: “I would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time” (Mark Twain).
