After four years in the Marine Corps and a stint as the leading Sales Manager for Beneficial Mgmt. Corp., I went on to a B.A. in Psychology from Oberlin College. During my undergraduate studies, in my assigned position with the Urban Studies Program, I authored, implemented, and directed a study called 'Operation Success' for the Cleveland Public School System. I was selected as a Research Intern for a semester, and then retained as a Research Consultant for a second semester to complete the study. This study was an especially designed existing program for inner-city students deemed to be potential high-school drop-outs.

During this time, I taught drums and played in a Rock & Roll band. I recruited eleven of my students to form a drum section which won a national championship the following year. I also taught a course in a private high school entitled 'Alternatives in Education'.

After graduation from Oberlin College in 1972, I accepted a position as a Counselor at a drop-in center for teen-agers with drug and family problems. My responsibilities included one-on-one sessions, leading a group-session, speaking to community groups and schools, and escorting prisoners (drug-related offenders) from a state honor farm to group sessions. I subsequently left this position to become the Executive Director of the Sandusky Valley Board of Drug Abuse where I was responsible for setting-up and overseeing Drug Abuse Prevention Programs for a three county area. Speaking to various groups and organizations, counselling, and staff training were also an integral part of the job.

Prior to graduate school, I worked for a child-protective agency as a Social Worker 2. This position involved working with abusive and negligent parents and their children in an attempt to keep the families together when feasible. While I was in this position I became aware of the incredible need of children to gain love and acceptance from their parents.

I attended the University of Northern Colorado for my post-graduate work in Psychology where I maintained a 3.9 GPA. Over the years I've accumulated more than 500 University Contact Hours through various field-related classes and seminars.

Over a period of five years, I founded and directed an alternative boarding school for children judged by public school systems to have behavior or adjustment problems. While waiting for various approvals and funding, I accepted a position as a Teacher and Activity Therapist at a private school for the Severely Developmentally Disabled.

With regard to the purpose of this biography, my field-related work experience is of minor significance compared to the "proof-of-the-pudding" of my son and daughter. Suffice it to say, if your kids turn out like mine have, you won't be able to keep from feeling the same fulfillment, gratification and joy as I do. There is nothing more important that I could have done with my life than having played a significant role in providing an environment for my children that optimized their chances of one day reaching their full potential; while also optimizing their chances of finding a preponderance of happiness, joy, and fulfillment throughout their lives.

My son is 27, my daughter 25. They are both much-loved and have an uncommon number of friends who hold them in high esteem. They are altruistic, loving, mature, compassionate, kind, and out-going. They are already clear about what has true meaning in life. They are relatively stress-free and have the ablility to handle life's vicissitudes with great aplomb. Because of the strength and self-esteem they acquired during their formative years, I never had to worry about their mental health, substance abuse, delinquent behavior, or social problems. Unlike me at their age, the clear-headed choices they have made in their lives are impeccable. The sophistication and scope of their perceptions, insights, and level of consciousness surpassed mine a number of years ago, and I found myself in need of making a transition from teacher to student in these areas. I should also add that they are both comfortable with who they are and what they stand for.

I do not exaggerate when I say my son is already a giant of a man. His nobility, heroism, and generosity of himself (even at the risk of getting hurt) is quite frankly, beyond my experience. I could cite an incredible example of this but it's a long story. Ask me if you'd like. His passion is for the Environmental Sciences and he was President of an environmental association in college. My son's demeanor is an ever-present, unassuming self-assuredness that has a tendency to endear him to just about everyone he comes in contact with. He's warm, caring, funny, and a good listener.

My daughter is vivacious, radiant, and effervescent. She's very sweet yet very strong. She will soon embark in a career as a Teacher in Special Education and is married to a fine young attorney. I'm really not sure if she could be any happier than she is right now. She has shown an ability to lead a life where the magnitude of the problems she encounters day-to-day are minimized to the point of being the envy of most people, maybe even just about ALL people. Throughout her life, she has never given me cause to raise my voice at her in anger.

In conclusion, I've heard Oprah Winfrey (among others) say, "The hardest job in the world is raising kids". I beg to differ in the strongest terms! JUST ASK ME WHY! Any little question you have is fine ---------- you don't have to have expensive counselling sessions and you don't need to subscribe.