I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. I could probably argue that I have been in the parks, recreation, and sports field my entire life. As a young child, my father was a recreation director, teacher and coach. My memories of accompanying my father and mother to the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society state conferences are still vivid in my mind. When it comes to experience in the field, I grew up around it, I went to college to study it, I worked in the field for over 40 years, and now I am teaching professionals and students at Clemson University who desire to spend their careers in the field. I think it is safe to say, “I have seen it all!” I moved to the Charleston, SC area (Mount Pleasant) the following week after I graduated from college, and I’ve been here ever since. I started my career as a high school athletic director and coach. Shortly after my teaching and coaching ended, I had the opportunity to enter the parks and recreation field, the subject that I trained for while in college. I became the director of a large municipal recreation department in Mount Pleasant, and then became the executive director of one of the most successful park districts in our country, the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission. Being a “director” for over 25 years has given me invaluable experience in almost everything relating to our field. Despite all I've done,I am a teacher at heart. I am fortunate to be on the faculty at Clemson University as a professor of practice in the Parks Recreation and Tourism Management department. I have been asked to speak regularly on various topics relating to the Parks and Recreation field throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. I often speak of purpose. I have watched mine change over the years. I am excited about my new purpose, to teach, to write, and to inspire others to preserve the parks and recreation profession for future generations.