Can you guess who…

Who inspires you? 

I’ve always been inspired by people who are good at what they do, and work hard to be good at what they do. Those who do something difficult and make it look so easy. They inspire me to work harder at what I do. I have often described myself as a “jack of all trades, master of none;” I’m good at a lot of things, but I’m not excellent at any one thing in particular. However, it may be that I have so many interests, hobbies and ambitions; it’s difficult to settle on any one thing! I am also inspired by my family. I have always had a supportive and loving family, and now that I have a family of my own, it’s inspiring to see how my children grow and learn. Very humbling, regarding my own children, to consider the power of influence on young and developing minds! My children inspire me to be a better dad!

If you could have dinner with any famous person, who would you choose?

I have always been a fan of sports and I enjoy history. I would probably choose famous athletes as a safe answer, and perhaps some who reflect history. I would love to have dinner with: Reggie White, Brett Favre, Jared Allen, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Payton Manning, Warren Sapp, Joe Montana and Bo Jackson. Not all at the same time of course. What stories they could tell! I would also love to have dinner with Tom Landry (Dallas Cowboy’s coach. I am not a Cowboys fan, but as a person, I believe Tom Landry was certainly in a class of his own.). Outside of football/sports? Maybe Neil Armstrong or Ernie Pyle? I realize some of these people are no longer with us on earth, but my chances of having dinner with a famous person are pretty dismal! I might as well dream big! Dinner with Bugs Bunny and the Tasmanian Devil? Why not? Michael Jordan did!

Where is your favorite place in the world?

Fishing on a nice, quiet, peaceful lake. I love having fun with my wife and children, so I often believe my favorite place in the world is with them!

What animal do you think most closely matches your personality?

Oh, I could have fun with this one! My instinctual pick would be a dog. I love my dog and he’s such a hoot! Full of energy and loves people! I would also consider an otter. They seem so carefree and love to have fun. I remember watching one slide down a snowy hill into the water and play like there were no worries in the world! An orangutan?

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

I’ve spent most of my life doing crazy things, it’s tough to narrow it down (imagine growing up with seven siblings! One of my crazy adventures was taking my open water SCUBA diving test in Lake Superior in December! We did a ship wreck dive on the North Shore of Minnesota between Duluth and Two Harbors. I had smurf lips for a week! What else was crazy? Spending 33 years of service in the US Army was pretty crazy!

What is one hobby you would love to get into?

Outdoor photography, especially with a flying drone!

What is your secret talent that no one knows about?

Keeping secret talents secret!

If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?

A financial expert! I think I would wear out my fingers, first!

What is your favorite family tradition?

Getting together with my family. Thanksgiving and Christmas are awesome! I love my mom’s wild rice hotdish!

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Fishing, spending time with family and friends, anything outdoors. Coming home to my family and spending time with them also happens to be the part of my daily routine I look forward to most every day!

What is the coolest thing you are working on right now in your Program?

Magic healing glitter. It may become my new secret talent!

What do you like on your pizza?

A giant t-bone steak and crab legs.

Spring, summer, fall or winter: What’s your favorite season and why?

Without a doubt, Fall. Fishing, grouse hunting with my dog, seeing the leaves turn color. Chuckling to myself listening to people complain that it’s getting cold! (I love ice fishing!). Halloween (I needn’t say more!). I never have a weekend wondering what to do in the fall!

If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would buy?

Two boats. I would buy a big yacht and tour the Great Lakes! I would pull along a new fishing boat and take months to work my way right out the St. Lawrence Seaway!  Along the way, catch a football game in Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo; or some baseball games depending upon the season! My carbon footprint would be frowned upon! Big dreams for someone who doesn’t gamble or play the lottery! What was that earlier question about snapping fingers?

What is your favorite dessert?

Cheese cake!

Where were you born? What is an interesting fact about your hometown?

I was born in Ashland, WI. Located on Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior, it was once a booming shipping and logging community. It now has murals painted on some of the old downtown buildings depicting the cultural history of the area. I happen to be in one of the murals!