What’s something—big or small—that you’re really good at?
I am very good at connecting the dots between disparate pieces of information. I think it helps in trying to understand motivations rather than just the given facts. I’m good at crossword puzzles, and I think that pulling info together helps with some of the quirkier clues. 

What was your first paying job?
My first real paying job was at the old age of 12 as a paperboy for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Snow, sleet or rain get up and get those papers delivered before 6 a.m. every day. Great experience in entrepreneurship, I made 4 cents per paper delivered daily and a dime for Sunday, or 26 cents out of the weekly $1.40 for the subscription. That was some serious cash back then!
 
If you had a boat, what would you name it?
I don’t have a boat, so this was probably the hardest for me! Someday I would like a pontoon boat to just chill – “Serenity” is a name that works for me on a lot of levels. The Serenity Prayer was hanging on the wall in my house as a child and that has resonated with me through so many challenges. 
 
What’s one song you have completely memorized?
There are lots of these that I will only sing in my car! I feel like I live this one too often and every once in a while I try to catch myself with it to refocus (okay, so there aren’t all that many words either): Alabama- I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why). 
 
What’s your least favorite chore around the house?
Pulling weeds. I have a big yard and a good size garden, and pulling weeds is just never ending. Almost hard to imagine this is worse than cleaning bathrooms. 
 
How do you like to get feedback?
I prefer email. While it doesn’t have the same level of personal connection you get from a conversation, I just absorb information better that way and find I am better able to provide information in return. 
 
What would you like written on your tombstone?
“Loving Husband and Father” – it would be hard to beat that. 
 
What’s one thing that has surprised you about working at Federal Laboratory Consortium?
The one thing that always impresses/surprises me the most is the level of caring from those that participate. Those that step up really show such a high level of engagement and passion for the success of tech transfer as an enterprise. 
 
If you could know one thing about tech transfer 20 years ago - that you know now - what would it be?
I think the greatest thing about tech transfer is the networking and people that work in this field. Whether the FLC or AUTM, tech transfer provides an incredible platform to reach out to others. We form partnerships, we have camaraderie, we participate because of the advantages of working with others.  Collectively we are so much stronger than each entity trying to do its own thing.  The synergies that we create when we work together really are the tide rising all ships. Getting engaged and taking full advantage of the opportunities that present themselves as part of the greater good is the secret sauce for tech transfer. It is so much easier than trying to go it alone, and the return is greater than the investment.