We lived a typical middle-class way of life, being neither poor nor extravagant but rather happy. Summer vacations growing up always included treks to historical landmarks; Mount Vernon and Gettysburg just to name two, which gave us kids a chance to visit places where history had been made. Both my parents (Ron and Marilyn) valued learning and service to others, evident by one being a teacher while the other a school administrator, and I guess they felt that a summer away from school wasn’t going to stop our education one bit.

The entire family attended church on Sundays at St. Michaels, and I attended school there as well. It was during these years and being raised in the Catholic faith where I learned many things academic and religious. Much of what I learned, such as the Golden Rule, has stayed with me. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is something that I have tried to follow throughout the course of my life; considering the thoughts of others before my own is sometimes difficult, but as I learned and now believe, it is the right thing to do.

I would go on to play soccer and t-ball on the diamonds and fields spread across the town of Findlay, and eventually I would join the Cub Scouts in the third grade. Through Webelos and then Boy Scouts, I came to appreciate what it meant to be of service to others. It was during this time that giving back to the community moved beyond being a chore, it was something I enjoyed.

When I got interested in music while at Donnell, I could not have imagined where it would eventually take me. Washington DC, Disneyworld and New Orleans are just a handful of the memorable places that I’ve been fortunate enough to visit while being a member of the Trojan marching band, high-school orchestra and Findlay First Edition. The performances where we played at senior centers and retirement homes have always been more special to me, as I could enjoy first hand how much our music was appreciated and cherished by others.

Like many kids who graduate from high schools today, I too did not know what I wanted to do, which made moving onto college a frustrating experience. I had dreamed of being a music teacher, thinking that there could be nothing more rewarding then instructing others in something that I love. After a particularly frustrating summer of student teaching, I decided that this was not the right thing for me. I went on to continue my education by earning an associate’s degree from Owens Community College (in accounting), and a bachelor’s degree from Bluffton University (organizational management).

I found myself exposed to many interesting fields while working; from manufacturing, to the service industries, and all points in between. After I was hired by Century Health and began to work alongside professionals who where passionate about their jobs, and after meeting the underserved public who passed through our doors, I knew what direction I wanted to take my life. For the past seven years now, I’m proud to say that I have been helping others, working in the non-profit sector of community mental health services as a financial liaison.

By no means does this represent my entire story, or all the personal, professional and academic experiences that I have had. It makes no mention of the numerous individuals who have contributed to my upbringing, the people who have come and gone during my time, and the friendships I cherish to this day. It does, however, give you a look into my life and let you see what kind of person I am, and what kind of leader I will be for this great city.