Born in Etna in 1947 to Rich, a millworker, and Dorothy, active in the community and church. Attended St. Ann’s Elementary School, and Etna High; graduated in 1965.

Entered the Navy in 1965, and served two years on ships out of San Diego before volunteering to be a machine gunner on the river boats in Viet Nam. Arrived on Thanksgiving Day in 1967 and left on Oct. 30th, 1968. Wounded twice, (Dec. 4th, 1967, and Aug. 15th, 1968) and awarded two purple hearts. In combat, I learned to rely on myself – a trait that would have made working for someone else extremely challenging.

After discharge in 1969, a friend asked if I wanted to travel and paint water towers. I did that until 1974 when I started painting homes and small buildings. The rest is history.

Financing – I had no family that could provide any backing and as a younger man had not established relationships with financial institutions. I did it on guts and a need to support my family.

Today – people who show up and have their own vehicle. Painting technique can be taught; responsibility must be innate.

Never let up!

Never giving up!

Painting the Anchor Hocking Glass Plant in Jacksonville, Fl., and painting the exterior of The Pennsylvanian, a historic Pittsburgh building that needed to be rigged for modern safety precautions. That was a feat of engineering...

If you mean exterior versus interior, I’d say exterior. Nothing compares to driving up to a freshly painted home.

Underestimating the time and equipment needed.

Sometimes, when hiring a contractor, people think that buying the paint themselves will help save money on the overall job. However, any contractor worth their salt has established relationships with paint companies and gets much better pricing that a reputable contractor will pass on to the customer as part of the project bid.

I was always upfront and honest with people, even if it meant not getting the job.

New Orleans and Key West. Because it’s New Orleans and Key West.

Travel, golf, fishing in Northern Ontario, relaxing on my glider on the back patio, and sitting on a bar stool gabbing with friends.