Education
During high school, I found work as a car washer and I was a janitor for Grand Rapids Public Schools. It was there that I and several bus loads of mostly minority youth got the opportunity to visited Grand Valley State College (GVSC). Little did I know at the time the impact that experience of visiting this college campus would have on my life.
Grand Valley opened its doors in 1964. It's first graduating class was in 1967. Ten years later in 1977, I would graduate from that storied institution, with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology.
1970
1970
1980
Building My Future
After graduating from GVSC, I gained employment as a community organizer in Grand Rapids, working in the Housing and Education sector for Baxter Community Center. It was exciting, but short lived. I wanted a position in which I could utilize my degree, working with underserved, physically, mentally and emotionally challenged individuals. In 1981 I applied at Lincoln Developmental Center and was hired.
1981 was also the year that I fell head over heels in love with a woman that became the mother of my only daughter Jen. Like her mother she is one of the most intelligent and beautiful people I know. We have a close relationship. My daughter’s husband and son are the missing link. They reside in Tennessee. We’re making plans to spend more time together.
After my hiring at Lincoln Developmental Center, I re-enrolled in Grand Valley State University (GVSU) to become a full fledged teacher. I completed my second degree in 1984, earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary and Secondary Education. with emphasis on the spectrum of disabilities, all the while working with developmentally, severely challenged children. Finally, I could do what I aspired to do, help those in need. I believe I gained a deeper sensitivity and empathy from interacting with those children.
1980
The 80's Where Busy
I relocated to Baldwin, Michigan to begin the 1985-86 schools year as a middle school teacher. I felt that I had something extra special to offer. So, I opened a Tae Kwon Do Studio in Baldwin. Most parents appreciated what the Art did for their children. They told me so. I continue to teach at the middle school, but once my students had graduated the high school principal asked that I transfer and basically accompany them. They thought that I was best qualified to teach them.
In between working at Baxter Community Center, and a Teacher for Grand Rapids Public School District, In 1988 I followed two of my older brothers to earn a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do Mu Duk Kwon martial arts.
1985
1985
1990
Expanding Influence
I received a scholarship to Michigan State University in 1990-93 while teaching. The scholarship was for Journalism. A Journalism Endorsement could be earned by completing summer coursework for 3 consecutive summer sessions.
After celebrating our successful completion of courses, with dinner and guest speakers, I returned home. Two weeks later I received a letter from MSU stating that they had errored in converting quarter hours into semester hours. Therefore, instead of sending a congratulatory letter, instead I would have to comeback next summer to pick up one more course to earn the endorsement the letter stated. They said, of course, everything including tuition, room and board would be covered.
I had been a full time teacher that had contractually sacrificed three summers in pursuit of a Journalism Endorsement, and had earned a 3.89 grade point average. A Journalism endorsement would have opened doors to newspapers and news rooms all across the country.
I said to myself. I know what I know. I was no stranger to the rug being pulled out from under me. I never contacted the university again. That was 22 years ago. Time heals old wounds.
1990
Into The New Millennium
The inescapable truth about longevity is, there’s a lot to talk about. For instance, did I mention that I was Head Coach for Junior High Boys Basketball, and Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, or that I served as a Trustee for the Village of Baldwin while in my fifteenth year of teaching from 2000-2009?
I retired from teaching in 2015, after serving 29 years in Baldwin and 6 years in Grand Rapids for a total of 35 years Finally, I completed a six hundred level course in Leadership, in a Doctoral Program at Western Michigan University. That was then.
With Trumpism on the rise and personal freedoms in danger of being eviscerated, I heard my clarion call to political action again In 2016. I decided to run for Lake County Road Commissioner. I lost. I lost by 179 votes. Not being dismayed, I ran again 2 years later in 2018. This time I lost by even a larger margin (1100) votes.
2000
2000
2020
Expanding Influence
People told me to not give up, that God had something better in store for me. Two years later in 2020, I was elected County Commissioner in District-7. In 2022 I was re-elected as County Commissioner, this time for a 4 year term. Currently I’m serving in the first year of that 4 year term.
2026
Vision for the Future
I pray that you recognize the deluge of un-American policies over the past 7 months. The people must preserve laws that keep us safe from the whims of a child/king that thinks about money (for himself), and desire having absolute control over everything and everyone. With a mindset like that, what could possibly go wrong?
Therefore, I have decided to run for Congress in 2026. “Nothing beats a failure without a try.” My original campaign slogan is;
- “Incompetence + Cowardice = Uselessness”
SEE YOU ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL!
2026
