Describe yourself in three words. Jovial, loyal, hardworking.
What book has had the greatest impact on you? The Bible.
What is your favorite part of your job? I love interacting with our staff and helping clients work through difficult situations. It is very rewarding to know that you have helped a business through a situation that likely saved it time and money.
What do you love most about Fort Wayne? I love that Fort Wayne is a little, big town with so much to offer. From the arts and sporting activities to the Embassy, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and more, along with a low cost of living and the ability to easily navigate around town, Fort Wayne has created a friendly and open community for all. As an outsider, I was able to come here and within a matter of months be involved in projects like the Science Central start-up, working with the McMillen Center as it updated its programs, and helping to raise money for the Three Rivers Montessori program. I was welcomed with opened arms by every organization.
What was your first job? I was a fry cook at McDonald’s and then I moved to being a shoeshine boy at the local golf club. I loved both jobs!
What is your greatest accomplishment? My marriage to my wife, Sally. To have a successful marriage that has lasted over 38 years is a testament to how much she loves and puts up with me. I would like to think that I have also played a small role in helping to give my kids, Megan and A.J., a solid foundation for their future. I am blessed that they both have returned to Fort Wayne after living in Chicago for a few years.
What is your dream job? I would love to be the head coach for the Detroit Lions.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to cast as you? Kevin James, the actor from “King of Queens.” He acts and looks like me!
What would you choose as your last meal? I should probably say something sophisticated, but everyone would know I’d be lying if I didn’t say pizza and craft beer.
Who would you like to see perform in concert? AC/DC.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? There are so many significant historical events that have taken place in Jerusalem. I would love to go there.
If you could solve one major problem, what would it be? World peace. It seems to be the same problem we have had since the dawn of time.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? My mentor, J. Michael O’Hara, always told me to do the task you least want to do first, then the rest of the day only gets better.
What is one important skill you think everyone should have? Everyone should be able to read. It’s sad that in the world we live in there are individuals who can’t read, when it should be one of the most basic skills we learn.
What skill would you like to master? Golf. I really hate the individual who invented the game, but yes, I will still keep playing.
What fad do you wish would come back or stay gone forever? Bell bottom pants should be banned indefinitely.
What age do you wish you could permanently be and why? I wish to be 45, because at age 46 I concluded I was no longer a young man.
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? I was a founding member of the first board of directors for Science Central where, through some of its events and activities, I had the privilege of sampling chocolate covered crickets and deep-fried worms.
If you could go back in time, once, and change a single thing, what would it be? I am very lucky. There is nothing that I look back on and say “I wish could change…” I have had my “what if” moments, but am blessed to have lived a very full life filled with family and friends.
What is something that never fails to make you laugh? My grandkids. No matter the kind of day or week I have had, when I’m around them their smiles and laughter are infectious.
In what city did you grow up? Defiance, Ohio.
What is the first movie you ever saw in a theater? “Being There.”
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I have no recollection of wanting to be anything but a lawyer.
What famous person would you most like to meet? Jesus.
What do you actually do at your job? I help businesses navigate the complex legal realm of human resource issues and help them with day-to-day interactions with their employees.
Who is your hero? My mother and father, my Uncle Tom Hulbert and my mentor, J. Michael O’Hara. My parents taught me right from wrong and instilled in me a good work ethics. Tom taught me that there is incredible joy an older relative can bring to younger folks by simply hanging out with them and involving them in their life. J. Michael taught me how to be a good lawyer and good partner. Be honest and straight forward.
Do you have a motto you live by? If so, what is it? “Someone has to be the adult.” I tell my kids this all the time to keep an open mind and try and find something that can work for everyone involved.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party (living, dead, famous, real or fictional)? I would invite my family, my siblings and their significant others. We don’t get together as often as I would like because of varying schedules. It would be nice to focus on spending time over dinner to catch up and reconnect.
What three items would you want with you if you were stranded on a desert island (other than food and water)? A radio, a comfortable chair and a hat to protect myself from the sun. I know one thing I would not take is my cell phone.
What does your workout regimen consist of? Seriously? Have you seen me? I have no workout regimen.
What profession would you never try? I can’t stand the sight of blood, so that rules out ever being a doctor.
Where will you go on your next vacation? I will be heading to a house I own in Florida to enjoy some down time with my wife and, of course, try and play golf.
What’s one thing you can’t live without? I would never want to live without my family. As far as any tangible item, I don’t think there is much that I couldn’t live without, however, green tea ranks up there.
If you could give your 15-year-old self-advice, what would it be? Be more confident. You can do anything you set your mind to.
What’s your biggest fear? Snakes.
If you hosted a talk show, who would be your first guest? Dan Campbell, the current head coach of the Detroit Lions.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you win a medal in? Would pizza eating be an acceptable answer?
What was the last gift you gave someone? Money. Not very exciting but that’s what they asked for.
What is the most productive time of day for you? All day is productive!
If you could send a message to the entire world, what would you say in 30 seconds? Can’t we all get along? Our time here on this planet is limited, so let’s try and be positive and enjoy it.
If you received enough money to never need to work again, what would you spend your time doing? Trying to figure out how to play golf.
If you had to teach someone one thing, what would you teach? How to play football.
What moment in your life would you most like to go back and relive? My wedding day. My wife is the rock of our family and I am so fortunate to have her in my life.
When were you happiest? I was the happiest when each of my children were born. There is nothing in the world like looking at your child for the first time.
What trait or habit in yourself do you deplore? Lack of patience. I am a work in progress in this area.
Do you have any guilty pleasures? What are they? Chocolate chip cookies and peanut M&Ms. Don’t put them around me — they will end up gone.
