Comments:
After getting my MS in Mechanical Engineering from KSU (1976) I worked as a Process Control Engineer for seven years, approximately 2 years in Marshalltown, IA for Fisher Controls (now part of Emerson Electric) then 5 years in Pampa, Texas for Celanese Chemical. During that time I stumbled upon my true passion - investments and financial planning. My technical background proved very rewarding. I have worked as a financial advisor for Edward Jones since 1983 - 38 years - and am now entering retirement.
Patrice and I are both on our second marriages. We both learned a lot from our first and are extremely happy God brought us together. Patrice grew up on a large farm/ranch in the north Texas panhandle. She is a retired nursing professor from West Texas A&M. I had one child, Eric, and she had four - Rene, Cara, Jason, and Garrett - when we married in 2008. Eric and Jason are now retired Air Force majors and were both pilots - Eric was a Pavehawk helicopter search and rescue pilot, Jason flew C130’s. Jason is now a Southwest Airlines pilot (that works out well as he has given his parent passes which allows us to fly standby on SW Air for free which we take advantage frequently). The other four kids are all Financial Advisors and are helping me transition my clients to them and building their own clientele as I transition into retirement, a process that will be complete in January 2023. Patrice and I love to travel and have now visited all seven continents - Antarctica being our last.
I have been involved in many leadership positions since high school. I credit coach Geier for encouraging me in that direction. Probably the one that I appreciated the most was being elected, or re-elected to our school board five times over 15 years, serving as board president for 5 of those. Of many leadership positions I have held this was the one I value the most.
