Making a Difference: Roads Traveled and Dreams Pursued

At one time or another I entertained my prospects as a farmer, medical missionary, corporate executive, high school teacher, politician, and lawyer. The fact that I ended up pursuing none of these is owing to some combination of happenstance, thoughtful consideration, and guidance from several wise mentors I'm privileged to have known in my life. Without them, and without the good sense that my wife, Charla, added to the mix, I may well have made some seriously wrong turns in the course of my travels Friends in high school and, later, friends and partners for life, Charla and I have traveled tens of thousands of miles together, literally and figuratively. Our adventures together make up an important part of the story I've told between these covers, one that includes our three bright and talented children. And yes, the grandkids too How I came to pursue a career in higher education administration is another part of the story - one that in all ways motivated the title for this memoir. As enriching and energizing as I found that career, I ended up leaving it 30 years later for the rollercoaster experience of entrepreneurship. And what a ride that was.