Family

Peg and I are truly blessed to have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.

Residence

We love our Radisson home on Whisper Ridge Pond.

Where do you work?

I retired from O’Brien and Gere as chief engineer in 2008 and continue to provide consulting services as requested, having maintained my Professional Engineer’s Registrations in several east coast states.

I currently chair the Town of Lysander’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update Committee and am proud to serve on the town’s planning board as well as a director on the Radisson Community Association’s Board. While serving in these capacities, I am pleased to offer my more than 50 years of engineering experience to benefit our vibrant community.

I also provide math tutoring for Father Champlin’s Guardian Angels Society at Bishop Grimes Jr. High school.

How long did you work at O’Brien and Gere?

I started at OBG in 1961 as a draftsman. I was the firm’s 65th employee. I take great pride in helping OBG grow to 1,000 employees at the time of my semi-retirement in 2008.

What were your responsibilities as chief engineer? As a committee member now?

My OBG responsibilities included every aspect of professional engineering over more than 50 years. As chief engineer, I led the firm in the development of its ISO 9001 Quality Management System.

My responsibilities for the committee I chair and the two boards I currently serve can be summarized by my philosophy of doing, “The right thing the first time.” The only way that can happen is to fully understand the needs of those we serve and then do what is necessary to meet those needs. The survey the Messenger published several months ago was very effective but just one of the methods the Comprehensive Plan Committee is using to identify those needs.

Is there anything new going on that you would like to share with our readers?

The Comprehensive Plan Committee is working with the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) to complete traffic studies to best assure our updated comprehensive plan puts in place sustainable development consistent with our current and potential future transportation network. Any of your readers who endured the one lane 370 bridge reconstruction this year will understand the importance of doing this right!

What do you like most about your job?

The engineering profession as well as the boards upon which I serve offer such a wide diversity of activities and more importantly a diversity of people with whom I work and/or serve. This gives me great satisfaction!

Least?

When someone who should know better refuses to see the benefit of doing, “The right thing the first time.”

Do you have a favorite book? If so, what and why?

Yes. Tom Brokaw’s “The Greatest Generation.” The book focuses on the generation that not only lived through the Great Depression, but also WWII. I firmly believe we need to restore the strong sense of the importance of “family values” exhibited by the “Greatest Generation.”

Favorite vacation spot? 

Anywhere the family is, especially OBX.

If you could have lunch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

The President to help him understand the importance of the Constitution.

What is one thing most people would not know about you?

I am a very patient person. Patience is usually a virtue, but at times I’m afraid it has caused me to miss opportunities.