Article content continued

A: I’ve been married for 31 years, I married the love of my life (Barb). She’s my best friend. I love her as much today as I ever have in my life. But (playing the drums) would be cause for her to reconsider.

Q: What is it that makes your relationship so successful and special?

A: I really am married to my very best friend and I have a tremendous respect for her. I think that’s the thing relationships sometimes miss – you have to respect the other person. You can disagree when you respect somebody, but it’s hard to disagree if you don’t respect them.

Q: Does your wife have a nickname for you?

A: Let’s see … “Hey, You” … where would you like to start?

Q: How would you describe yourself and how would your wife describe you? Is it the same thing?

A: Probably the same. We were sitting with somebody and they asked my daughter if I was this gigantically optimistic guy. Samantha said, ‘Yeah, that’s my dad.’ I have to work hard for it, but my family – Barb and my three girls – the way life has unfolded, I feel so blessed. I try to wear the smile of someone who has been that fortunate.

Q: The perception is you’re a man of the people, is that something you strive to be?

A: Something I learned in my business career is you have to be who you are. You have to be authentic. People see through the pretense and the false identity and I don’t want to do that. I have built most of my success on the fact I like people and I’m willing to spend time getting to know them and understand their point of view. I find a way to take what they’ve taught me and use it to further the cause. My wife says my mom was an ordinary person living an extraordinary life. It’s because my mom loved everybody she met and she found a way to connect. She was a great listener. I’ve tried to use that great listening skill that I learned from my mom to my advantage.