What brought you to LCA and how has LCA shaped who you are today?
I personally felt like I did not fit into the middle schools in our town and after witnessing the type of friendships that were still strong for my Dad who attended Christian High School, and knowing how special the experience was for him, I really wanted to be able to have that experience too. I was blessed to have great friends in lots of grades at LCA and still am regularly in touch with many of those friends
Which faculty members impacted you the most while here?
So many of them had an impact on my life.
- Mr. McCowan – tough, but boy did he love his students. He had so many sides to him. He was a goofball, he was a disciplinarian, he fervently prayed for us, and I would not have made it through college lecture halls if I hadn’t had to take notes in his Bible and US History classes.
- Irene Campbell – still love her today! She was a great listener. She was wise. She was a great role model.
- Dick Watts – taught me to LOVE algebra – and yes, you do use it in your adult life!
- Jake Hoffman, Kevin Crispell, James Bergin, Donna Williams – they all loved and cared for the students and displayed the love of God in their daily lives.
What activities were you involved in while a student?
I was in Chorale, Women’s Ensemble, and New Life Singers.
I was in Fiddler on The Roof, and the Ladies Not for Burning.
I was a Cheerleader in 9th, 10th and 11th.
I was the business manager and worked on layout for the Yearbook during my Senior year.
What was it like having your family immersed in the community of LCA?
LCA was part of our family long before I went there, as my Dad (Richard ’60) and one of my Uncles (Glen 62) had gone there through high school when it was Christian High. My Uncle Glen married my Aunt (Judi Ferrin ’63) who went there as well. Because my Dad and Uncle went there, my Grandparents were also involved with the school.
Because of the sacrifice my parents made to send me and two of my 3 siblings (Rebecca ’89 and Jeff ‘93) to LCA – we all as a family were involved in many activities and events at the school. Two of my cousins attended during the years that my siblings and I went there. And 2 classmates of mine married cousins of mine. When I was a junior in college my Mom (Jill) started working in the school and continued there for 35 years until she recently retired. My Dad worked there for 9 years in the business office as well after he retired from Gillette. When we had a more formal Alumni association, my Dad and I were both involved with that. And both of us have been/were active in coordinating our class reunions over the years. So many of my parents’ nearest and dearest friends are people they met/knew through LCA over the decades since 1955. So as you can see LCA has been an active part of our family life since the mid 1950’s.
What college did you attend and what inspired you to choose your major?
I attended Messiah College/University, initially as a biology medical technology major, when it became clear that my choice was not the right path for me, I chose Business Administration for two reasons. Dick Watts had convinced me that math was cool, and I liked it and did okay in it. Kim Windsor encouraged me to be the business manager for the yearbook committee for my senior year. I couldn’t understand why she would do that since I was planning on being a science major in college. But apparently she saw something in me that led her to believe I would do a good job in that role. I loved the role and succeeded at it. So when it was time to change majors, I figured Business could be a good path for me.
Tell us about what you currently do for work and the road to your current career.
For The past 16 years I have worked at an investment firm on the North Shore. I am currently a Senior Registered Client Associate/Assistant Vice President working on a Private Wealth Management Team with five other people. I spent 20 years at Merrill Lynch followed by two years at Smith Barney before moving to my current firm in 2009.
How has your faith impacted your life and career after graduating from LCA?
Thankfully I was raised by parents and grandparents who stood firm in their faith and instilled it into our lives. LCA contributed to that on so many levels. It gave me confidence to speak about my faith, and to integrate it into every part of my life. It helped me personalize my faith and solidify why I believe it. And the teachers sharing their faith helped me to realize the importance of living a life of faith and being an example to those around me.
What are the most challenging aspects of your current job?
I work in a highly regulated industry. There are constant changes in so many areas of it. Staying current on those changes, whether that is technology. or policy, etc. is crucial. I am continuously learning new things, even after 40 years and am sure that will continue up until I retire.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Helping our clients. Getting to know them personally as well as professionally, and along with the rest of our team, helping them to achieve their financial and personal goals.
What would you say are the top requirements (skills, mind-set, etc.) for someone entering this line of work?
I think it’s important to be ethical and honest in business. Your reputation speaks volumes. It can be very hard work, which is customized for each and every client…no two people are the same. You must be willing to put in the time and effort, along with being willing to admit mistakes, and be humble about successes.
What are you most grateful for from your time at LCA?
The education and integration of faith into our learning I cherish. The teachers and staff who dedicated their time to helping us learn the importance of being the best we could be. Certainly the memories and the relationships are something that I am most grateful for.
If you could offer just one piece of career advice with today’s students or something that you wish you had known before graduating, what would it be?
Always give your best…whether that is in your work, your family, your relationships, your friendships. Be a positive example and role model. Be confident. God made you for a purpose and in His eyes, there are no hopeless causes. Never give up. Be willing to keep learning.