My father had a small medical equipment and sales company which I worked in while growing up. While it was assumed that I would enter one of the professions, he believed that one of the greatest gifts you could give a child is to learn how to work and that it is important to have a trade to fall back on. So, I trained not only in sales and service, but also worked in high school and college as a baker as well as learning the printing trade. Prior to beginning my career I worked in customer service and repair of electronics. My career as a pastor has allowed me to hone my natural talent for relationships and meeting the public. That along with my avocations of woodworking and home repair have prepared me to not only enjoy working in a place like home depot, but to be qualified to assist customers.
After a bankruptcy, I replaced the full time gardener in the yard of our home in Portland which included care and maintenance of a very intricately landscaped yard and care of 75 tea and climbing rose bushes.
I have done most of my own home repairs and upgrades for 45 years and have the skills and tools to do so.
I am a proficient woodturner, a mid-level woodworker with my own fully furnished woodshop and have worked in high school as a "choker setter" in the logging industry.