EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND
I have been working steadily since the age of sixteen. In those 29 years, I have worked in restaurants, retail, hotels, manufacturing, schools and libraries. I have spent several years working two jobs simultaneously. I have worked all shifts performing jobs from cleaning to production to management to "other duties as required". During this time, I have been a lifelong learner while raising two children. I continue this work ethic as councilman.
History
Madison County Public Library
For sixteen years, I have been fortunate enough to work at the Madison County Public Library. I began as a desk clerk in Berea and gradually assumed more responsibility. I am now part of the management team for the county library system with my own staff and responsibilities including maintenence of the computer systems, networks, e-rate compliance, CCTV installation and monitoring, digital phone systems, website maintenence, digital local content projects, among many other duties as required. We have been recognized as one of the first Bookmobiles in KY to have Internet and catalog access over a cellular network. Other projects I have worked on include creating an ongoing online archive for the Berea Citizen and Mt. Vernon Signal, expanding Internet access throughout both library locations, setting up material pickup locker locations to outlying areas of Madison County, addendum to the Berea Cemetery burial inventory, providing Internet access to the park at Boone Street, and designing/building more than a decade of library floats among other projects.
Groups and Committees
Most recently, I have worked as a committee member for Trail Town Berea. Because of this committee's work, Berea is now a certified KY trail town and can utilize this standing to enhance Berea's tourism. With the guidance of city of Berea and Madison County GIS departments, I was able to create GPS enhanced trail maps that may be printed or uploaded to a smartphone for many Madison County recreational waterways, hiking and cycling trails.
I have also been a board member of Project Read Madison County, a group dedicated to providing opportunities to improve literacy throughout our area.
I currently serve on the Public Works committee and chair the Park and Recreation committee working to improve our cities infrastructure and quality of life through public spaces..
Lifelong Learning
I am a 1991 graduate of Berea Community School. During my senior year, I began classes at Berea College where I obtained a bachelor's degree in 1995. Since then I have spent a great deal of time in both formal and informal continuing education. Out of interest and necessity, I have learned skills in woodworking, framing, electrical work, computer hardware and software, and photography among others. Much of this was learned through a combination of books, videos and working with professionals in those fields. More formal continuing education have included courses through Bluegrass Community and Technical College, online courses through Universal Class, graduation from the 2010 Leadership Madison County program. In September 2018, I began a ten week program called Citizens Police Academy to learn more about the resources and needs of our law enforcement community. I have also been fortunate enough to schedule a ride-along with the Richmond Police Department.
Berea Community, Madison and Rockcastle County Schools
For three years, I moonlighted as substitute teacher with city and county schools. During those years, I taught classes from kindergarten to high school including special needs working both single day and long-term assignments. I have a great respect for the challenges teachers face avery day.
Restaurants and Hotels
Restaurant work provided my very first job at the former Hardees in Berea. I then spent five years at Boone Tavern Hotel and Dining Room, and later Arbys, Days Inn, Bojangles and Radio Grill. During this period, I worked as cook, server, clerk, student manager and later assistant and general manager.
Manufacturing
I was among the first employees at MEMA (Matsushita Electric Motors of America). During my time there, I worked closely with my Japanese trainer to learn the use of CNC equipment. I have developed a great respect for those who work daily producing identical parts for hours upon end.
Retail
I have worked in both a grocery store and department stores. During those times I worked as cashier, department associate, third shift stocking, security, and display assembly among other duties.