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Personal
I was born in 1969 into a family of all girls, well almost. There was
my mom, my three sisters and, thank goodness, my dad. Boy, were we out numbered! I went to Forestlawn School for kindergarten and then to St. Thomas School for grades 1 -8. I met my sweetheart, Teresa, in study hall at Brookside High School in 1986. We were married in 1989. Teresa and I have been married for 18 years and have three children who attend the Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City Schools. After my discharge from the US Navy we bought a house in Birmingham, OH and then Columbia Station, OH before moving back home to Sheffield Lake. We have been residents of Sheffield Lake for more than
32 years, and are proud to be raising our family here.
Work
History and Experience
Immediately after graduation, I spent four years in the Navy, including a tour of duty in the Gulf War. In 1991, I was honorably discharged as a Second Class Petty Officer. I held a few production jobs and worked part-time in the insurance industry while trying to get on
a fire department. In 1993, I was hired as a Firefighter Paramedic for the City of Bay Village. I am an AFL-CIO member in good standing. I am a certified scuba diving instructor and hold a 25-ton Master's License for the great lakes, which allowed me to own and operate a fish/dive charter boat.
My first experience in local government was as a member of the planning commission. After being elected chairman we started working on the creation of a current master plan to help guide our city. I was unanimously appointed to City Council and was subsequently elected to the Ward III Councilman seat where I have been serving ever since. As a member of City Council I have chaired the Safety, Ordinance, and Finance Committees.
I was elected mayor in 2003 where I have been serving since.
Education
After graduating from Brookside High School, I completed many job-related schools in the military. I also utilized the Navy's at sea college program (P.A.C.E.) to earn credits from the University of Central Texas. After being discharged, I took advantage of the GI Bill to earn credits from both Cuyahoga Community College and Lorain Community College.
Most recently, I have completed an education program designed to educate municipal officials on public finance, management strategies and current governmental issues. This program is sponsored by The Ohio Municipal League and recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court. I am the only elected official in our city that has completed this program.
Hobbies
and Interests
I enjoy spending time with my family, swimming in the lake with them in summer, sledding and snowball fights in the winter. I like to fish, but
it's more fun to watch the kids catch fish. I like to go hunting in fall. I like tinkering in the garage, talking to neighbors and winning the occasional video game. I like flying
airplanes and going out to dinner with Teresa, but sometimes what I love the most is a
quiet evening at home.
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