Who We Are

Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?

Anyone holding a baby!

What could you give a 30-minute presentation about with no advance preparation?

Organization and Time Management

What’s your favorite famous or inspirational quote?

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” John C. Maxwell

What’s your secret talent that no one knows about?

The ability to sleep less than 3 hours and still function.

What’s something that has surprised you about your chosen career path?

How far I have come in an industry that I knew nothing about.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I love acoustic guitar and playing at a professional level would be amazing. I’ve played on and off over the years and I’ve demonstrated no natural talent for guitar.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

Anything in the bread family, including pizza.

What was the first thing you bought with your own money?

My brother and I mowed lawns in the Bay Area with a push mower and hand clippers to buy and collect baseball card packs for $0.25. We could buy one pack each for every lawn and I still have a large collection from the 1970s.

What’s your favorite famous or inspirational quote?

“The best view comes after the hardest climb”. I always say this to myself during my cycling adventures.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT OUTSIDE OF WORK?

Most people don’t realize that my son is adopted. We’ve been so changed by this experience that I’m very driven to help other children find homes. I am deeply involved with Lilliput Families and Wayfinder Family Services, and I currently serve on their Boards.

Who inspires you?

My wife. She picks me up when I am down and forces me to see the “forest from the trees.”

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

I would be a professional fishing guide.  

What’s a topic you wish you knew more about?

World cultures.    

What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your skillset.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

Gummy bears!   

How do you define success?

I always defined success as being considered an expert in your field. 

What’s your favorite famous or inspirational quote?

I like, “It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”  That was one of my Dad’s favorites.

Who would you most like to swap places with for a day? 

Conan O’Brien

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this? 

I would have been a lawyer… I actually thought about doing that when I was about 50.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

Humor.

What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received? 

Better to make a decision and apologize later than to not make decisions at all. You can’t be afraid to take a stance.   

What could you give a 30-minute presentation about with no advance preparation?

For the greater Sacramento area and any town that I’ve visited: Recommendations of what to see, do, and eat to have a fabulous time. I’ve been to all 50 states and love discovering what there is to discover that makes each place special.

What’s a topic you wish you knew more about?

French Literature. If it’s not Victor Hugo, I miss it on Jeopardy.

What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?

Always be willing to take on a new challenge and make it your own.

What’s your secret talent that no one knows about?

Parking. I have a sixth sense about when people are going to leave and where great parking spaces will be available. This is offset by my nemesis, lines. Don’t ever stand behind me in a line. 

What’s your favorite famous or inspirational quote?

One of my newest favorites comes from Rosalynn Carter: “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” 

What’s your secret talent that no one knows about? 

I once got first place in an amateur bull riding competition!

What could you give a 30-minute presentation about with no advance preparation?

How to raise chickens.

How do you define success?

When you set a goal, develop an action plan, and accomplish it.

Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?

Richard Branson… that guy seems to live a charmed life

What was the first thing you bought with your own money? 

The first thing I can remember buying with my own money was a giant card for my dad on Father’s Day.  After that, it was probably candy.