I always told myself I would write my book once I retired. In 2008, I left active employment as the executive chief-of-staff of a multibillion-dollar healthcare company to enter my "what now?" phase. Given my broad and tenured work experiences, I knew I had a story to tell. That's when I wrote my first book—about the lessons I learned from a dog I rescued. Then I started speaking and consulting full-time. 

I immediately wrote a second and third book about my experiences as an award-winning crisis counselor. 

My editor at the time said I was the best writer she'd ever worked with. I really liked her, but she was fairly pricey, since I was in business start-up mode. So I married her, which didn't necessarily save money, but... 

Through my wife, I met other authors who asked me to write content for their books. Over the years, I ghostwrote book sections, advised authors on their content, and continued to author my own books. I've been published by McGraw Hill, John Wiley & Sons, and Business Expert Press.  

Then I began ghostwriting entire books for others. I never imagined I could leverage my skills in counseling, interviewing, leadership, communication, writing, and creative arts into finding my ikigai (the Japanese word for purpose that involves doing something you’re good at, doing what you love, doing something the world needs, and doing something that pays the bills).  

I never looked back. 

I love creating dialogue and getting into the head of an author. My process involves interviews up front to learn their story, and equally as important, their voice. The questions I ask probe beyond just what happened or what they want to share. I’m interested in the why. I'm passionate about helping authors tell stories of how they found triumph amidst pain, and I enjoy distilling complex subject-matter so readers “get it.”  

Understanding the power of emotions, I write memoirs that create tears followed by laughter, so the reader remembers what they read long after they finish the final chapter. In business/leadership books, I enjoy infusing each with timely, relevant research, case studies, and data that make the case and engage the reader.  

I’ve been ranked as the #3 ghostwriter in the US, and several of my books have been endorsed by powerful influencers:

• Dr. Drew Pinsky, American media personality, internist, and addiction medicine specialist 

• Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series 

• Gary Chapman, bestselling author of The Five Love Languages 

• Mike Ditka, multiple-time Super Bowl champion as a player and as head coach of the Chicago Bears, NFL Coach of the Year  

• Jennifer Gimenez, American supermodel, actress 

• Nido Qubein, author, business entrepreneur, and president of High Point University 

In my free time, I’m a hiker, shutterbug, animal wrangler (currently an Australian Labradoodle, too many cats, and pond full of koi), gardener, experimental artist, hot pepper aficionado, and lover of the underground music scene (as in bands no one’s ever heard of).