Work Background

Whenever I meet somebody new to discuss things in depth, I like to ask about their background. I believe learning about each other’s experiences helps us have a better understanding of the other person’s perspectives. So, here’s my best attempt at providing you with a bit of my work background.

Work

I’m going to list all of my jobs going back as far as I can remember, even the less than fancy ones. I believe it’s possible to learn something from every job and that they can help shape you.

Private Urban Planning Consultant- 2020 to Present

I provide a variety of urban planning services for several communities across Southeastern Michigan. It’s a wonderful mix of large-scale projects, like site plan reviews and ordinance drafting, and small-scale projects, like individual zoning permit review and inspections. This broad work environment is a wonderful way to sample a lot of different ideas.

USA Hockey Referee- 2019 to Present

I’m one of the fellows out there with the stripey shirts and patch officiating USA Hockey sanctioned recreational games. I love reviewing the rule book between games, interacting with the players (well, the higher level players can get a bit sassy), and getting paid to exercise. Although it is actually easier to officiate higher-level games, I enjoy calling lower level games because there is more opportunity to educate the players.

Shift Manager/Zamboni Operator- 2019 to Present

In addition to operating Zambonis, I manage staff for several shifts a week at a multi-million dollar facility, train new staff, and manage the point-of-sale. A big adventure was that I got to “cut the ice” for the largest, non-qualifying synchronized figure skating competition… in the world!

Zamboni Operator- 2018 to Present

Yes, I drive Zambonis at two different places! At my original sheet of ice, my big thrill was “cutting the ice” for high school games. You haven’t lived until you’ve driven a 6-ton machine on wet ice, with poor visibility, tight tolerances, and time pressure. I was fortunate to be taught by somebody with a lot of passion for and knowledge of “ice maintenance.” It is truly fascinating; ask me about it sometime.

Director of Planning and Zoning- 2012 to 2019

I worked as the department head for a nearby township, responsible for all the activities, including zoning permits, code enforcement, zoning ordinance drafting, and review of commercial and residential site plans. I provided staff support for the planning commission, zoning board of appeals, township board, and zoning ordinance review committee. While there, I was able to establish a summer internship program and significantly improved the processes and documentation.

Clay Production Assistant- 2011 to 2012

When my wife and I moved back to the area, we did so without a job. We just knew we wanted to live around here. As our savings were near exhausted, she urged me to go get a gift certificate at a clay place. As fate would have it, they just started looking for a new production person. I spent long days covered in dust, lifting hundreds of pounds, and got to operate a fork lift. It also helped train me to suffer through wearing a mask for long hours.

Assistant Everything- 2010 to Present

My wife, like many immigrants to our country, started her own company within a year of moving here. She wasn’t happy with the poor quailty of hosiery she could purchase around here, so she set up an online store to sell high-quality hosiery from European manufactures. I have been happy to help here with many aspects of her business and am very proud of her. (Yes, I can explain the different types of yarns, deniers….)

Plan Director- 2008 to 2011

I was the head of an entire county planning department in Indiana. I oversaw permit review, code enforcement, and site plan reviews. I provided support for the plan commission, board of zoning appeals, and county commissioners. I was also responsible for developing and managing the departmental budget.

Planning Consultant- 2008

I worked for the city’s downtown development authority and city staff to examine the city’s main commercial strip and provide recommendations to improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation, improve the character of the built environment, and to improve the business environment. The city has made changes to its zoning ordinance to support my recommendations. It was a really fun project, and it gives me a smile whenever I visit and see the changes.

Equipment Operator/Seasonal Assistant- 1997, 2006 to 2008

I worked for a city’s park department, in charge of maintenance of the city cemetery and one of the parks. It was fun to work outside and to use all of the big equipment. I trained younger employees and enjoyed quizzing them what GAR on some of the headstones stood for.

Labeler/Library Assistant- 2002 to 2003

Somehow, I manged to find one of the few student jobs in the university’s library system in which you were not able to sit and read for long periods of time. Instead, I worked to label and relabel all of the new books for the library system. It was a wonderful use of my architecture school acquired x-acto skills. Our supervisor was also kind enough to let us quickly look through interesting books that came through.

Intramural Sports Referee- 2001 to 2003

As a student, I officiated intramural hockey and broomball games. Being a nerd, I enjoyed reviewing the rule book before every shift and working on positioning, whistle work, and signaling. It was a great introduction to managing others who might not be in a very managemable mood. One of the coolest comments I ever got at a work place was from a higher-up fellow in the im sports department who substituted as a site manager for broomball one night. During a break between games, he told me he didn’t understand broomball but could tell that I knew what I as doing.

Surveyor Assistant- 1999

I spent a summer working in a county road commission’s survey department, helping to conduct surveys for future and current projects. It was a good lesson in avoiding poison ivy and learning where all the public bathrooms and places with hot food were thoughout the county. It was fun to experience and help road projects at the very beginning.

Service Worker- 1994 to 1997

I can’t believe you’ve scrolled down this far! My very first job was as a bagger/cart fellow. It was technically called ‘service worker’ because of all of the little things we had to do. To this day, I can still bag groceries with the best of them and know that a full load of carts weighs as much as a minivan.