Sooner or later it happens. We live long enough to believe we know who we are. If I ever write my biography, it will be titled: "Sometimes I Got Lucky" or "Blessed". Either works.
Like all of us, I define myself in relation to others and my environment. For 28 years I have been the happy husband of a very remarkable woman. I am the father of two outrageously special daughters and a very fine son-in-law who will all make the world a better place.
For 29 years I have been fully engaged in the work of Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, where I began my work as a family therapist in 1989 and as CEO in 2011. I wake each day ecstatic that I work with the finest group of people ever to pursue a common mission!
Reared in U.S. Navy family, I came to Louisiana and learned to love our state from the outside in. Of course, with six generations of Louisianians preceding me on both sides of my family tree, it was bound to happen - even for me, born in south Texas.
One thing about Louisiana troubles me deeply. For 29 years Louisiana has held an average rank of 49th among the states in child well-being. We are simply not doing right by our children. As a state, we are paying for it and we will continue to suffer the consequences of neglecting our most precious resource.
What do I love about Louisiana? Her people. We are friendly, resilient, strong, faithful, energetic, creative, diverse, unique, social, playful and persistently optimistic. I often wonder what prevents us from channeling all that good stuff into caring well for our children.
