Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I have two older sisters. I have one biological daughter, one daughter adopted from China and four stepsons, including one who still lives with me and my wife, Carol. I label myself as quiet and reserved, feeling uncomfortable in large gatherings.
What do you do at Fuel, and what is the most valuable resource you provide to our members?
I provide the computer infrastructure to our employees so they can best support the member. I also manage the internal network and telephones. If there are buttons or flashing lights, I’m probably involved somehow.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Typical workday? What’s that? No two days are alike. I can be setting up a computer for a new employee, troubleshooting problem devices or doing R&D for new features. I prefer it this way.
What is your professional background?
Working hard for four years provided me with a bachelor’s in business administration–finance. Working hard for 40 years let me play with computers every day. (“Find a job you love to do, and you’ll never have to work another day in your life.”) I started my college education as a music major but transitioned to business when I found it would take at least 10 years to graduate. I was a Minnesota-certified municipal clerk, and I’ve also held a plethora of odd, unrelated positions.
What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have a fun fact about yourself you’d like to share?
I am currently working on adding smart-home features to my house—things like motion sensors automatically turning on and off lights, fans that activate based on current temperatures in the house and technology that keeps the sprinklers from turning on and watering the garden if it is raining. I like the concept of the “home of the future” and the quality-of-life improvements that come with it. I also like to cook and bake. All my cooking measurements are approximate, and I don’t own measuring spoons. I like the concept of “cooking on the farm” and prefer to watch for color, smell and texture rather than exactly following a recipe.