So, who am I, exactly?

I know Indiana. Raised and educated in South Bend, I worked my way through the University of Notre Dame busing tables and washing dishes at an Italian restaurant. I later worked as a member of UAW Local #5, welding fenders, quarter panels, etc., in the former Studebaker plant.

After earning a B.A. in American studies under the “Dome,” I launched a nearly 10-year career as a television political reporter in six states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan and Kentucky). While reporting, I met the lieutenant governor of Indiana. He persuaded me to lead his communications shop.

I then transitioned to Fortune 500 corporate communications, taking executive positions with Melvin Simon and Associates (now Simon Property Group) and Anthem, Inc. (now Elevance). There, I worked in a variety of disciplines over 18 years, including communications, “Right to Build” advocacy, strategic planning, even Y2K!

Mid-career I earned an M.A. in American history from Indiana University, and was nominated for, and participated in the Commandant’s National Security program at the Army War College, in Carlisle, PA.

Indiana’s legislature is part time, and I was honored to serve in the General Assembly concurrent with my time at Anthem for 16 years. I authored the most aggressive telecom deregulation law in the nation (at the time), authored a successful constitutional amendment and led the fight for constitutional and humane treatment of undocumented immigrants.

While a legislator, I was nominated for the “John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award.”

After that, I spent 10 years as co-owner of a 48-person, full-service advertising and public relations agency, wrote a Civil War history book and served as chairman of the board of a $300 million beer and wine distribution company (then 10th largest in America).

In my spare time, I serve as a trustee of the Indiana Historical Society and board member and fundraising chair for the Immigrant Welcome Center. I also have volunteered to provide humanitarian aid in the eastern mountains of Mexico and speak and write Spanish effectively.

But my joys are my sons and three grandkids. They keep me laughing and grounded.