Where are you from? I was born in Flint, grew up in Clawson, and have lived in Howell for the last 25 years.
Where did you go to school? College? Degrees? Clawson High School, University of Michigan BA English & Teaching Certification, Eastern Michigan University MA Educational Leadership
What do you do professionally? Retired middle school principal; currently Director of Reaching Higher 4 Youth
What are your passions? What do you get excited about? Working with young people
Personal life: spouse, siblings, children, hobbies, pets? Married to Jodie for 34 years; two grown sons, Sam and Danny; one grandson, Cooper; I love reading, movies, history, chess, all sorts of games, and spending time with my family.
What is one of your super-talents? Laughing at everything including myself
What’s your favorite book? Why? First one that comes to mind is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I read it as a kid and it forever changed me and showed how a book can become part of you forever.
What gets you really angry? Lack of civility and basic manners
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you? I am pretty damn good at ping pong
What's one thing your mother/father taught you that completely changed your life? Integrity is priceless
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself"
What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else? "The opposite of success is NOT failure; it is giving up"
If you could have one 'do over' in your life, what would you do differently? Be kinder
Of what are you most afraid? Politicians will continue to succeed in turning us against each other instead of working together
Favorite breakfast food. Toast with orange marmalade
If you suddenly won a million dollars and did not have to work, what would you do with all your free time? Exactly what I am doing now except travel more
What question do you wish we had asked? Favorite movie
What was the worst job you ever had? Dishwasher at age 14
What’s your favorite type of music? Artist or Band? Classic rock -- the Beatles
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? First a pastor, and then later a lawyer
What’s your favorite tradition or holiday? Thanksgiving with the entire extended family
What fictional world or place would you like to visit? King Arthur's Round Table
What is your favorite breakfast food?
What’s your favorite color? Blue
What book, movie have you read/seen recently you would recommend and why? Leadership and Self Deception by the Arbinger Institute because it changed the way I look at everything
Dogs or Cats? Why? I like both
What is your favorite dessert? Pie -- all kinds
What was your favorite game to play as a child? Red Rover
Are you a traveler or a homebody? Traveler
What’s one career you wish you could have? Lawyer
What fictional world or place would you like to visit?
What’s your favorite place of all the places you’ve travelled? England
Do you have a favorite plant? Tulips
What did you have for breakfast this morning? The works -- eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, ham, and coffee
What was the country you last visited outside of United States? Bahamas
If you could have drinks and dinner with anyone, who would it be and why? All my previous teachers, so I could thank them.
What is your favorite meal to cook and why? Quiche Lorraine -- it tastes so good! [Ooo-la-la! Is that French? How about a recipe, Steve?]
Are you a morning person or a night person? Night
What languages do you know how to speak? English (pretty well) [See, I woulda said Pretty Good. Bad grammar, right?]
Favorite childhood candy or snack? Heath Bar
