My work life
I started my first real job in late grade school. During the summers between 6th and 7th grades and after 8th grade, I used to ride my bike to the Elmhurst (IL) News Agency. We had to get there well before sunrise. No helmet or lights on the bike back then. My regular corner was North Avenue and Route 83. I would wait until the light turned red and then run between the two lanes of cars queued up at the light as fast as I could. I had headlines of the two Chicago papers displayed in the notch of each elbow. Chicago Tribune in my left arm. Sun Times on the right.
You could see arms sticking out car windows through the clouds of 1960s car exhaust, and you would race from arm to arm, selling as many papers as you could until the light changed. You'd then jump through moving traffic, run back to the light, wait for it to change, and then do it again. And again. I got to keep 2 cents per paper, plus tips. It was fun figuring out ways to make that system work. Those lessons have stayed with me.
###
• United States Small Business New Product of The Year. National Society of Professional Engineers, 2005.
“This prestigious award honors American companies and their contributions to society. Winning products were chosen for their exceptional engineering research, design, and overall impact on our national economy.”
• Fast Company Magazine - Fast 50 Award. now called the World's 50 Most Innovative Companies. 2004
“The Fast 50 are the idea elite of business, individuals with the vision and personal commitment to propel their companies and industries into the future,” said Fast Company editor-in-chief John Byrne.
“The Fast 50 is not just about the bigwigs or bottom line. It's a group of uncompromising leaders, tireless innovators, turnaround artists, truth-tellers, trendsetters -- readers who are fueled by courage, integrity, passion and a commitment to results.”
• Wisconsin Governor's New Product Award. 1999 and 2004
“New and improved products stimulate the life and growth of our country. The purpose of the Governor's New Product Award's program is to recognize the full spectrum of benefits that come from the research and engineering of new products. These include added employment, economic development, strengthening of the nation's competitive position internationally and contribution to the public's standard of living.”
• Nine United States and foreign patents deployed worldwide to combat industrial pollution.
.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Organizations.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• Cofounder. Center for Ageless Entrepreneurs (CAE).
January 2021 - present. Link to CAE site: LINK
• Author. Ageless Startup. Start a Business at Any Age.
March 2019- present. Link to book site: LINK
• Founding Team Member / Business Development Director. Food21
January 2018 - present. LINK
Building a resilient and sustainable food economy for the Pittsburgh region.
• Founder / Artisan Food Networks
September 2013 - present. LINK
Artisan Food Networks develops smart new professional food networks, dedicated to growing local/regional and specialty food businesses, and developing community-focused jobs.
.
• Founder / CEO. Innovation Kitchens LLC
December 2013 - June 2016.
Developing new business models for the Wisconsin Innovation Kitchen.
.
• Founding Executive Director. Iowa County Area Economic Development Corporation
Novemeber 2008 - December 2013.
Business support, entrepreneurship, and economic development. Developed nationally recognized local/regional food business model.
.
• Founder. Business Diligence LLC
June 2007 - July 2012, with continuing users in 2022.
CRM software providing entrepreneurs the ability to manage their own contact information and securely document valuable collaborator information - both on and off line.
.
• Co-Founder and President. Universal Separators, Inc. / SmartSkim
June 2007 - July 2012. LINK
I led this company from concept to global sales. Our designs now recycle millions of gallons of oil worldwide every year that used to be lost as wastewater. Multiple U.S. and foreign patents. State and national awards for innovation and entrepreneurship, including United States Small Business New Product of the Year and the Fast 50 Award, honoring the world's 50 most innovative companies. Twice awarded New Product of the Year for the State of Wisconsin. In 2023 our SmartSkim startup will be 25 years old.
.
• Founder and President. Banner Graphics, Inc.
May 1972 - May 1997.
Our 25 year family business success. I started Banner Graphics with money from a loose change jar. Mary and I ran this wonderful company with our family for 25 years. We had at least 75% of the Fortune 500 as customers. We also served many of the best known universities and nonprofits worldwide. It was still running at 40 years old when I lost contact.
.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Public presentations, interviews, articles.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Public profiles
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
