What Have You Been Up To Since Graduation?

Well, I guess it's my turn. Well my Summer vacation after we graduated wasn't as long as I expected. A week later my head was shaved and in San Diego going through Boot Camp. After my "Summer Vacation" I was stationed back in Hawaii at Kaneohe Marine Corps
Air Station for the next 4 years, attached with VMFA 235 (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron). To pass the time, I went back to school for a few reasons; to get my degree and it helped with promotions. In 82 I married someone from back home and we had a girl together, at the same time I was transferred to North Carolina and became shift leader to Service Company, Camp Lejeune.

Back in 86 I moved back to Hawaii and was stationed at Camp Smith until 1990, where I left active duty to pursue school again, got a divorce and searched for a new job in the civilian world. In 1993 I completed my degree in Business/Marketing and returned to the Marine Corps as a reservist. I was then hired as the Marketing Director for Consumer Tire Warehouse. Remember "Go Now Hawaii, Why Pay More?" After Malcom Love passed away, they needed someone to design a marketing plan to get them back in the consumers eyes again. My first task was to find a spokesperson who was popular and would be a good fit with the company. That's when I met Mike Sakamoto with "Fishing Tales". Part of the campaign was to get back on TV and produce a commercial with him. I remember Mike asking me he needed a "side kick" for the commercials and for me to find one, I would need to invest more money! I told him I'd be his sidekick and we did a bunch of commercials during 1996. Maybe you seen them, with Mike fighting a "fish" on the sea and a tire jumps out of the water? Or the "Favorite Fishing Spot" I had a lot of fun working with him. Then HonPub wanted me and I worked for Honolulu Publishing/Honolulu Magazine until I left for Oregon in 1997 to accept a job with a Portland publishing company.

Since then I bounced back from job opportunity to job opportunity. I worked briefly as a sub contractor for a custom sign company (which was a nightmare) and a job I really enjoyed was with CBS. I worked in broadcasting and sales and during my time there met many artist who have come by the studio's. Danny Bonaduce (awesome guy!), Mark Lindsay (founder of Paul
Revere and the Raiders) spent many nights drinking with him, Kool and the Gang (I called June during that concert so she could her the music "Jungle Boogie") War, Doobie Brothers, Neal Diamond, Beach Boys and many more. I had so much fun there but the driving and hours were killing me and one thing I noticed about people in radio, they sure drink a lot! In March of 2007 I accepted a job back in publishing for a newspaper and managing the retail sales and as an Associate Publisher. It's a lot closer to home and the commute is a little better than before.

I married an Oregonian who at the time was living in Hawaii and we have been together for 18 years! We have two kids, our daughter Taylor (16) and son Hunter (14). They are both musicians who play the keyboard, bass guitar, drums. (I see a garage band in the future, gawd help us!)

I just celebrated my first year with the newspaper and I have to say, it's been a lot smoother than back in radio (I still miss it) but my wife said, "No Way" am I going back to the "darkside". I'm also still in the Reserves and drill out of Mirramar, CA. but I think I'm about burned out on that too. (I've been skipping drill) I need to concentrate more on my current job than being a "weekend warrior" where I work as an Air Intelligence Officer - Targeting.

My friend just retired because of the same reason, is now an associate principal at a local High School in Tualatin, OR. So I think it's time. I think it's great how we all have reconnected after 29 years. If it wasn't for the internet, I don't think we've had as much success on connecting as we are now. I look forward to seeing all of you again in Vegas in 2009!