I graduated Latta High School in 1979, then received a B.A. from Francis Marion University (then College) in 1982. After taking a stab at graduate school at Wake Forest University,  I went from The Dillon Herald in the early 80’s to working in corporate and marketing communications and public information for nearly 10 years in the metal fabrication, mental health, and chemicals/textiles manufacturing industries, first commuting to Florence then moving to the Charlotte area.

I worked the next dozen or so years in marketing, marketing management and sales capacities in the telecommunications industry in Charlotte, Asheboro and eventually Chester, SC, where I currently reside.

I sincerely wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard "Chester from Chester" the past few years; let’s just say I would not not be looking to the S.C. Education Lottery as the best potential source for my retirement income.

Beginning early 2003 through June 2010 I served as general manager for a nonprofit entrepreneurial facilitation initiative, New Ventures Business Development, Inc., based in Wadesboro, NC. We raised nearly $2 million in funding that we leveraged to help create 90 jobs and $20 million in hard-dollar economic impact. We created and provided a small business incubator, a community art gallery with studio space, a community e-commerce website (think etsy at a small-community basis), a women’s center, and a community commercial kitchen, as well as counseling, mentoring, matchmaking, networking, and education programs.

In 2000, while recovering from the accident below, I began doing consulting in marketing  and sales. That part-time gig has evolved to include e-commerce, social network marketing and IT services. One current project is the e-commerce  site and social marketing for Olvida Cookware, which manufactures a unique (Olvida is from the Spanish olvidar for no memory, plus you don’t need to season the stuff) line of nickel-impregnated cast iron cookware.

I had my heart broken 2.5 times (e.g., I thought I might be interested but they either did not reciprocate or didn’t wait long enough for me to realize I should be interested — thankfully so in that latter case). I think I broke at least two hearts when I couldn’t requite the same degree of interest.

My interest in reading diminished dramatically during graduate studies at Wake Forest. Looking at the leaves and twigs on the branches of the tree in the middle of a dense forest was a bit too much detail and took its toll. I compensate with too much television and movies, especially with the subscription-by-mail DVD services and microwaveabble popcorn keeping the the costs reasonable. I enjoy live music, particularly several regional and national blues performers at several clubs in Charlotte, Columbia, and Greenville, tinkering with computers and Internet site design and development, and I rediscovered photography around 2003.

I continued riding motorcycles after college until February 2000 when a wonderful, uninsured young motorist in a Nissan pickup decided to turn left as I jetted through an intersection. I estimate I was traveling at roughly 45 miles per hour when we – literally– “met.” I suffered bilateral tibia facial fractures that gave me four screws and a renewed appreciation for being above ground and vertical. All I remember after the ohh-shucks epiphany is the vague image of a Nissan hood ornament and regaining consciousness some minutes later.

Actually, I jumped back on the iron horse a few months later – hey, you fall off the horse you get right back on, isn’t that what your parents told you – but sold the bike in ’05. If you read between the lines I suspect that means I still am an obstinate, contrary bastard (not quite old enough to be a curmudgeon yet, I don’t think).

If you wish more details contact me, I’m here all week. There is a two-drink minimum.