How many years have you been in the school business profession?
42 years
How did you first learn about the school business profession?
I was on somewhat of an odd path, although people come into school business from lots of different paths. When I was a student in high school, I started working as a helper to the head of the industrial arts department who ran the in-house printing for the school district. He left before I graduated and I ended up filling that role part-time as a senior, and then I did it on college breaks as well. When I was close to graduating, they made an official full-time print shop, so I began doing that full-time, and finished up college part-time. Then there was an opening for an administrative assistant for business in the district, which I applied for. From there, I moved up to business manager a couple of years later, and I've been there ever since.
What is your proudest career accomplishment?
There's an assortment. Some of the proudest accomplishments are the people I have helped to move into different positions. Two of my former facility directors are business managers now. I spent most of my career in a county where everybody that became a business manager had me on speed dial. The other accomplishment that's neck and neck with that is that I've done a lot of building construction. At Medina, we did a new high school that was 540,000 square feet and a three-year construction project. It came out on time and under budget despite lots of construction wrinkles.
What do you feel is the most important part of your job?
I think getting the job done is the most important. I once worked with a superintendent when we were putting in modular classrooms. We went to a parent meeting talking about it, and when we were looking at the classroom the superintendent said to me, "Well, do you think we can get this done? I've got my neck out about eight miles on this." I said, "Yep, no problem. We're going to get it done.” And I'll tell you a secret about business managers, when the superintendent asks, can we get it done, as business managers, we say, “Yes, we'll get it done." Then we go away and think about how could we possibly get it done. But we always figure it out, and get it done.
What's at the top of your professional bucket list?
To finish out my career without some gigantic explosion or giant unrest in the current times.
Who is your hero?
Probably my dad.
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
Some might know this, but some won’t. I have been the public address announcer for the Medina County Fair, promoting shows and keeping people up on what's going on. Just this past summer I completed my 50th year as the announcer for the fair.
If you were an office supply item, what would you be and why?
Half the people don't even know what this is but I would be whiteout because business managers are always fixing things.
If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?
I'll say an orangutang, just because I think they're cool.
What's your favorite movie?
Probably the old original “Pink Panther” with David Niven and Peter Sellers.
What’s your favorite food?
Ice cream.
How many long have you been an OASBO member?
Around 42 years.
How or why did you first get involved in OASBO?
I became administrative assistant for business, and I think I was 24 years old. I was so green, I didn't know what I didn't know. I have to give credit to my school district because they would pick up the dues for local, state, and national professional organizations. So that kind of prompted me to think about it. Of course when I joined the OASBO, I started attending events and so on. So that probably is what got me more involved.
What positions have you held in OASBO?
I've been seminar director a number of times. I was all of the chairs in the Northeast Chapter, then Northeast Region Director on the OASBO Board. Currently, I'm in my second term as an OASBO Board member, representing business managers. So I've had a lot of involvement over the years.
What's your favorite part of being involved in OASBO?
I think the networking is great. I've been in this business long enough that I have lots of friends that I have known over decades through OASBO.
Why should someone get involved in OASBO?
I've had friends that had been undertakers become business managers. I've had principals become business managers. I've had folks in facilities or food service become business managers. No matter your background, until you're sitting in the chair, you don't necessarily know what you don’t know. Having people to rely on and to have mentors that you can call and say, “What do you do here?” is a great thing. OASBO provides that networking.