I am a husband, father, business owner, cancer survivor, believer in the power of prayer, and forever impatient with standing in line. I love manning the grill and being with my family and friends near the lake as much as possible. I have a life-long love affair with sports, but my body tells me it might be time to slow my roll a bit.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m married to my wonderful wife Annette for almost 27 years, with 3 amazing daughters Jessica (24), Allison (22), and Rebecca (18). My parents built a home in the Town of Mukwonago in 1971, so you could say I’m a Mukwonago lifer. We just moved to Lake Beulah which I hope will cover the next 50 years.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Out of college I was a CPA working at KPMG. I really enjoyed my time analyzing and auditing businesses. The opportunity to join GS Global Resources came in 1997, and my wife and I purchased the business in 2002. GSGR custom engineers and manufactures hydraulic and electronic systems for equipment manufacturers (construction equipment, forestry, mining, etc.). Our product solutions make machines smarter, stronger, and more efficient. I love when the incredibly talented people at GSGR solve machine performance challenges.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Lulabell’s Dockside, Fork In The Road, David Alan Alan’s
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
As I said, I’m a Mukwonago lifer. My business moved to Mukwonago in 2013 and employs about 140 people here and 40 more in Wausau. I have been fortunate to be active in the MHS Athletic Booster Club for 12 years and serve on its Board for the past 8 years. I have witnessed so many great people in the community willing to give back to the student athletes at MHS.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
So many choices, so many interesting people. Craig Vertz (the Mukwonago Mayor) and Dick Weinkauf (father of a friend and my boss while I worked my way through college).
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Hawaii and Alaska are on the current “to do” list.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Seinfeld – hands down the dumbest, funniest show (about nothing) ever.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never stop learning and always be ready to adapt and change.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To someday to create a scholarship fund for hard-working kids in our community with limited resources to assist with their college education.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Perhaps an online music station like the Def Leppard channel. I like variety but trend to the 80s and 90s.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I would probably say the old Anich’s Liquor Store or Dum’s Barber Shop. The old buildings and the hometown feel are really appealing to me.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would choose Bud Selig but only if I could give him some truth serum. I’ve always been a baseball nerd and that pretty much defines Bud Selig as well. I think Bud would want to choose Gilles but to stay local it would have to be Culver’s instead. Do you think they would mind if we sat and talked for 4 hours?
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
It is really special to me to see just how many people are willing to give back of their time and treasure to the kids in our community. Being involved with the Booster Club shows me every day how much people are willing to do to improve the lives of the kids in our community.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I hope that I can do just what I am doing now: enjoying family, friends, and work that I love.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Most people know that I’m the 10th of 11 kids (yes my mom has already qualified for saint hood) but few people know that I was 11lbs. 14oz. at birth. Wowza!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
This is easy … on my dock with my family looking at an amazing sunset. It never gets old.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
July 4 all three answers wrapped up in one
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My wife, my life
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and kids. I try every day to be the husband and father they would choose.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
POPCORN and fresh cut grass.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, comfort, love
