The story of me!
Below is a brief history of my career in my own words.
United States Navy
In 1988, I graduated High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL and joined the U.S. Navy as an Avionics Technician. There after more than a year of training in Memphis, TN and Jacksonville, FL, I reported to NAS Willow Grove in Horsham, PA. I served 3 years there as an Avionics Technician. I worked in the Calibration Lab and Anti-Submarine Warfare shop. I also did some time in the Quality Assurance Department. There I was awarded Sailor of the Month for the Maintenance Division and was nominated for Sailor of the Year,
After completing Active Duty, I returned to FL to be a part of the Naval Reserves.
Post Navy Florida
In FL, I started my Civilian Career working at Discovery Zone as an Arcade Game Technician. I was quickly promoted to Area Service Manager in charge of maintenance for 28 locations in the South East US and Puerto Rico. When DZ was purchased and downsized, I resigned and went to work for James Industries South. There I was the International Service Manager in charge of the onsite Service Department and Service in South American taking care of Exported Amusement Machines and Jukeboxes.
Back in Pennsylvania
After a time, I began to miss SE PA and began looking for work in the Philadelphia Area. I moved north to work for Tekbilt, Inc. A small amusement Company Manufacturing Video Poker machines. I was unhappy in that industry and quickly was recruited by Skee-Ball Inc.
As a former major customer of Skee-ball, they had known me by reputation and direct dealings. I served as their Service Mgr. for many years. I oversaw 2 Technicians and the parts department. I also consulted for many Amusement Parks all over the world on Game Maintenance and Arcade management. This allowed me to travel all over the world to gain experience with a wide array of customers. I also was an instructor at Seminars and trade shows.
Return to Service
After the sad events of 911, I rejoined the military as a member of the PA Air National Guard. I quickly was moved to full time duty as a Civilian Employee of the 111th Fighter Wing. At this point, I left my civilian job at Skee-Ball.
While in the Air Guard, I worked for the Air Force as both a military member and as a “Civilian Technician”. I was trained on and quickly went from Journeyman Avionics Tech to Craftsman level on Guidance and Control, Navigation and Fire Control systems for the A-10 Warthog. Working again at NAS Willow Grove in Horsham, PA.
While there, I deployed twice to Iraq and Afghanistan. I served there as a shift leader in charge of the Instruments shop doing maintenance on A-10s. I was given several medals and other awards for my service there and back home. All are detailed on other pages here.
Upon return from my last deployment, we learned that due to base closings around the world, our Squadron was losing it’s Jets and would be deactivated. I was offered a transfer to the 171st Aerial Refueling Squadron in Pittsburgh, PA in the same capacity. I moved my family out there shortly after.
While in Pittsburgh, further budget and manning reductions in hand with a surplus of Airmen from deactivated units allowed me to retire.
POST RETIREMENT LIFE
With my wife being from Near Philly, I moved back to SE PA and near family. I begin working at Schulmerich Carillons. A small company with an over 75 year history of making Electronic Carillons and Church Bells. I was brought on to replace the former Service Mgr. after 43 years of Service. After a brief training period with him, the wrench was passed to me. I lead the Service and Installation Department for around three years. I oversaw all aspects of service and parts along with 9 Technicians throughout the country.
After a time, the company was sold as the Schmulmerich Family wanted to cash in on their assets and move on. On the day the new owner took over, I was replaced with a family friend and one half of the technicians were released. This was oddly one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve had outside my Military Service.
I quickly went to work for Quench as an Area Service Mgr. I lead 14 Techs in the Mid-Atlantic regions installing and servicing water coolers and dispensers. This was not a rewarding job for me and I quickly found myself unhappy here.
I left and was hired by Versa-lift as Warranty Service Administrator/Quality Mgr. I was assigned to oversea warranty calls and paperwork.
Currently ...
I was then recruited by my current employer, Follett Inc. I work here as a Senior Customer Support Representative. I handle technical calls to the call center from diverse customers ranging from Nurses with medical grade refrigerators to field techs fixing ice dispensers. I have gained my EPA Cert for Refrigeration during my time here. I also instructed many Technical Service Seminars to industry Technicians on the equipment we manufactured. When I came here, the company was billed as a “Family”. I found this to be true. The work was hard, and the customers are often difficult. But I find it rewarding.
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COVID…..
Just before Covid hit, I left Follett to open up a local branch of Quality Biomedical. I started with an old Beer Distributor warehouse and created a shop and shipping facility capable of repairing and distributing O2 Concentrators to PA, NJ and the greater NY City area. Then Covid hit and our business Quadrupled. We quickly outpaced all foreseen income and profits. We also quickly outgrew the space we had. We doubled the expected staff of technicians in a time when finding staff was near impossible. I continued to push like this at 150% for a year and a half and decided to take a break and left Quality in late April of 2021 to take an extended Leave of absence. So I could focus on family and my charity work.
Being one who can not set still my leave of absence was destined to be short. In the winter of 2022 I took an assignment as an Electronics Engineering Technician at Lutron, Inc in Coopersburg, PA. I now enjoy the no pressure work of building new tests with state of the art tools and electrical equipment to make sure your lighting is not only cool and efficient, But also safe. I could not be happier.
OFF DUTY SERVICE
Since my retirement from Military Service, I never lost my need to Serve the Community. I have been busy also serving the community as a member of the 501st Legion. A 17,000-member strong non-profit dedicated to public Service and Star Wars. I also serve as the Public Relations Officer and a member of it’s Command Staff. We use our Love of all things Star Wars to bring toys and smiles to children. We visit hospitals to visit sick kids and give out toys. We work with many great charities to help them raise money to do what they do. Including Make-a-Wish, Toys for Tots, Alex’s Lemonade, Autism Speaks and numerous others. I’ve also traveled all over the country appearing as Darth Vader representing Lucas Film at TV events, Concerts and other functions.