I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago, during an era when
kids didn’t need expensive gear or organized schedules to enjoy America’s favorite pastime. All
it took was a bat, a ball, and a glove—and the sound of the game would draw you in like music.
The city's many neighborhood parks served as our sandlots, and if a game was already going,
someone would wave you in. If not, a few minutes of hanging around usually sparked one into
existence. These were grassroots games fueled purely by the love of sport—no frills, just friends,
fun, and a whole lot of heart. I played through childhood, through the ranks of little league, and
eventually suited up for adult hardball until nearly the age of 40. When my son was old enough
to step up to the plate, I traded my glove for a coach's clipboard and passed along everything I
knew.
After high school, I pursued my growing interest in electronics by enrolling at DeVry College. It
was there that I found my footing in a field that was just as intricate and rewarding as baseball.
My professional journey began repairing TVs and VCRs—back when fixing something was still
more common than replacing it. Over time, I honed my skills and developed a deep
understanding of the complex systems that kept people connected. Around this same period, I
was presented with a very different kind of opportunity—one that would shape my character and
values in ways I never expected. I joined the local fire department, and over the next two
decades, I served as a firefighter while simultaneously climbing the ladder in the electronics
industry. I eventually became a manager, and later a senior director of operations at a company
entrusted with repairing the telecommunications equipment used by companies across the globe.
When our son went off to college and the house felt a little too quiet, my wife and I decided to
embrace a slower rhythm of life and moved to a quiet, rural town in Illinois. Even there, I
couldn’t hang up my helmet entirely—I joined the local volunteer fire department and kept
giving back to the community in the way I knew best. Years later, we found our way to Central
Florida in search of sunshine and a new chapter. It was hard to say goodbye to the fire service,
but the transition felt right.
These days, we live in a retirement community surrounded by palm trees and warm breezes.
Despite the relaxed setting, I’m far from idle. I continue to serve as the Senior Director of
Operations, leading a global team dedicated to maintaining and repairing mission-critical
telecommunications infrastructure. It’s a role that keeps my mind sharp, my days meaningful,
and my coffee strong. Life here is a good mix of purpose and peace—and I wouldn’t have it any
other way.
“Service, teamwork, and staying in the game—on and off the field.”