My First blog post - Getting Started

My quandary is what I should do in my first post. I'm going to use this blog to share personal information about my life. That being said I think I'll start it off with a combination of my business, personal and medical history. So here goes:

National Product Administrator for Bausch and Lomb Fiber Optics Division
Helped develop fiber optics for multiple uses including government, AT&T Communications, Automotive uses for General Motors. Had 35 manufactures representatives and B&L's outside sales force.

I worked in the electronic component distribution business prior to starting my own at the age of 27, which I grew to Six Million dollars in just three years.

I got in the fluid sealing industry where I learned to contain fluid from leaking in many different industries and environments. These include Oil and Nuclear power plants, municipal infrastructure, submarine and surface ships, above and below ground exterior walls. I worked with WED Engineering (Disney) on state of the art fluid sealing systems at Epcot and The Magic Kingdom. It was during this period where I began working with personal computers. I created the first complete PC based database program for tracking all valve, pumps and their sealing information at a nuclear power plant. I also integrated the first municipal PC based meter reading system with a city’s mainframe.

This led to running my own software / systems integration business for 25 years dealing mainly with distribution and manufacturing companies. After selling my business and retiring, I went back to work as CIO for a friend and helped take the company from 8 to 20 Million/year in only 3 years. This extensive background has enabled me to become proficient with computers, the knowledge to be able to intelligently buy and sell product, understand and deal with the financial necessities of a business and know how to deal with both vendors and customers. I have dealt with very small businesses of less than 5 people to some of the largest multi-national companies in the world.

Currently, my wife Pat and I own 3 websites, 2 of which are stores. http://www.stuffnthingscorp.com is our main store. http://www.pattysthings.com is a wholesale and bulk site. Our main site at http://www.stuffthingsandgoodies.com is an "Umbrella" site with links to our other sites, blogs, weather and more.

My serious medical issues started in 2003. Before that I had the usual growing up issues. I had plugs in my ears, an appendectomy, 2 hernias, and was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 1978. I also had a benign tumor on my left knee when I was 16. I had a minor MI in 1989. It was then that I quit smoking :) Since then I have had Diabetes, Prostate Cancer, Thyroid and Colon cancers. Surgeries: Hydroseal, Belly Button Hernia, Angioplasty, Thyroidectomy, Bariatric, Gallbladder, 4 Lung Taps, 2 Major Lung Surgeries, Open Heart (Double Bypass 2 Valve Repairs, and am getting ready for a colon cancer re-section. There is a lot to talk and interact about. Please feel free to jump in and share your thoughts and experiences.

I will attempt to add as many appropriate images and sound to upcoming posts so you don't think I'm trying to bore you :) Please let me know what you think and constructive criticism is always welcome :)