Where are you from and how long have you lived in town? What brought you to the area?
I have spent most of my life in Libertyville, or the surrounding area. My great-grandparents first settled in the Rondout area (east of Libertyville) around 1910 and my family has been here ever since! We actually live in the house my grandfather built!
Do you have child(ren)? Age(s)
Two daughters – Ginny (5) and Anna (4)
What are your favorite things to do in the area with and without your kids? Family friendly restaurant? Date night?
One of the things I love about the Libertyville area, is the fact it’s so family friendly (plus Mommy/Daddy date night friendly, too!) Our girls LOVE the famer’s market during the summer! They also love to spend time at Cook Library, all of the local parks (Cook Park, Riverside Park, Castle Park in Vernon Hills), and the petting zoo at Lambs farm. Both girls love to hit up Mickey Finn’s and Ganello’s Pizza as often as we can.
For Mommy/Daddy time, my wife and I love to hit the local restaurant scene. Some of our favorites include; Jazz Brunch on the first Saturday of each month at Main Street Social. The Charles Heath Trio set the mood for a great time! We also like to head to Mickey Finn’s for Sunday brunch after church.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor or in the corporate world? Please share!
I am the owner/operator of Money Mailer of Central Lake County. I have spent most of my life working in Chicagoland media (radio news/traffic reporter, talk show host, radio sales guy). A few years ago, I had the chance to buy our local Money Mailer business. I was familiar with Money Mailer because one of my clients used it to advertise. I love working with local businesses with their marketing. It’s fun and rewarding to see my clients have success.
I also love working close to home. My office is on Bradley Road, and I get to pick my own hours. It’s great to be able to take my girls to Montessori school in the morning, and stay home with them if someone is sick.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I’d have to say, Libertyville and being from the Libertyville area is a major part of everything I am today.
I love local history. Back in 2006, I published a local history book through Arcadia Publishing. It allowed me an opportunity to share some of the pictures/images of my personal local history collection. I also worked with the historical society to share their photos and stories. The late Dean Larson helped me with the project. Since the book was published, my collection has grown quite a bit. Someday, I’d love to work on another, similar, local history project.
I’ve always been passionate about local history. I first joined the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society when I was nine years old. I collect old postcards of Libertyville – most are from around the turn of the last century. I have a little more than 200 in my collection. I also collect other various items of local historic significance… most people call it junk. I love to look at my collection and think about our community. How much it’s changed, and also the similarities of the community it is today, compared to the community it was 100 years ago.
Additionally, I’m a former Libertyville Village Board trustee. When I first ran, it was my goal to remain on the board as a trustee, and eventually be elected mayor, for most of the rest of my life. Then, as I was starting to plan my re-election – my family had an opportunity to move into the house my grandfather built in the early 1950’s. It’s right outside of the village boundary… (it’s a Libertyville mailing address). After talking things over with my wife, we felt the best decision for our family would be to continue my family’s legacy in my grandparent’s house. So, instead of running for a second term on the village board, I resigned early. Soon afterward, I was fortunate enough to have been asked to serve on our local fire protection district. I just started my second term as a trustee on the Libertyville Fire Protection District. (The LFPD serves the areas of Libertyville Township, Green Oaks, and Mettawa that are serviced by the Libertyville Fire Department).
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
In addition to being an award-winning coupon salesman, I was also the 1990 News-Sun Newspaper Carrier (paperboy) of the Year!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another Dad?
Enjoy the time, and each age of your children. Every time I blink, my girls are older and bigger. I try my hardest to leave work at the office, and be in the moment with my girls when I’m home.
What is next for you?
I really want to do a local podcast. I have a lot of local radio experience (I still work as a fill-in news anchor for WLS-AM radio). I think it’d be fun to use that experience to make something for the Libertyville area. ….just need to find the time.
