So, what would you like to know about me . . . and what do you need to know about me.  Let me start to tell you my story.  If you are interested in more, check back, I will continue with the rest of the story from time to time.

Beginnings

I came from a background of management as Executive Director of a recreational facility in the great state of Michigan.  A land of abundant snow in the winter and equally abundant mosquitoes in the summer. Armed with a degree in Education and a love of the out-of-doors it was the perfect fit for my adventurous spirit.  While I enjoyed frequent pockets of fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling along with all the trappings of living in  Northern Michigan it still had to fit around real work.

Trial by Fire

At first the learning curve was steep.  Continually buried in correspondence.  Letters needing to be written more correspondence to answer, a regular newsletter to top the pile.  Then there was promotional material,  fundraising letters, more writing, editing, etc everything requiring more and more creative juices.

Dare I overlook the other demands of public speaking, staff recruitment, staff training, more and more Fundraising and so the list goes on.  I mention this simply to give you the secret to maintaining my sanity along with a capacity to quickly rise to the top of my game.

Working with Trained Pros

Consultants, coaches, trained professionals those that already knew the ropes and have gone through the fire to figure out the short cuts along with the best methods of getting the job done.  So by hiring professionals, developing professional associations, it cut the steep learning curve down to a relative minor blip.

Let me give you an example:  Fundraising was a very important part to keep financially fit.  I was able to hire a small consulting firm to train me in the art of the best way to ask for donations, the results were amazing.  Cost for these services $5,000 plus expenses.  This included a two day workshop, and a few weeks of personal training.  Result, the first fund raising attempt raised over $47,000 in  cash and pledges for the coming year. What a relief in a very few short months.

So, my desire is to be a source of ecouragement and training to those hoping to move ahead with a presence on the internet,  especially those introduing others to a personal relationship with Christ.

A brief rabbit trail . . . who is the other person in the photo?  His name is Skyler.  He was introduced to me 5 years ago after bursting into the hospital room kicking and screaming.  My wife and I fell hopelessly in love with him from day one.  Everyone says there is a special affection for your first grandchild and that certainly is the case with Skyler.  This page will unquestionably contain future photos of this wonderful character.  However, let me simply say that he has already reminded me of lessons about a love for life that have gone too long without dusting.

To Be continued . . .