Through an active results centered family a desire for continue growth has never left my side. There’s no correct way to live a life, I’ve chosen to grow through both education and experiences. Those experiences brought me back to Waterford Township in the summer of 2009. A graduate of Waterford Kettering High School Class of 2001 I’ve always had a desire to understand not only leadership but also how to identify a good leader. It took greater effort to shed out of the introvert shell that I once possessed, than it was to actually earn my degree at Western Michigan University. At Western the idea of being a teacher rang true as a venue to both expand my communication and organizational skills.
A teaching degree took me to Avondale, Arizona where I continued to build a Psychology Program. At Westview High School a group of teachers welcomed me into their pod where I was given the gift to witness Unitown. Unitown was a camp designed to bring a multitude of demographics amongst students together. These students were then provided tasks to accomplish together. The goal was to break down social barriers, build self awareness, and present the value of a team no matter its makeup. From Arizona I returned to Waterford Township and built Reconnecting Youth at Waterford Mott High School. The Program was centered around improving decision making skills among students at risk.
At the conclusion of the teaching career I went into the business world and went back to college and am wrapping up a pair of master degrees from Walsh College in Finance and Business Administration. My theory in work and community is that one can service them in the same way using the tools. While I do not shy away from taking the lead, most of the time the best state of readiness one can have is to have the tools necessary to help any organization succeed. Engineers need space to grow, chefs need space to grow, entrepreneurs need space to grow; I’ve decided to build up a knowledge and ability to help any of them build their vision a little further. Which also translates to community service, being able to see the financials and layout of an organization through known best practices only furthers said organization in helping their community.
There’s no question I’ve enjoyed volunteering in Waterford Township and am happy to help when needed and when the time is available. The People of Waterford are proud of their community and are humble about it. They’re less concerned with comparing their town to the others in the region and more interested in helping out their neighbors. Success in Waterford Township is internal and in doing so even volunteers that don’t even live in the township get such an attachment to it.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
The past career by far has been my favorite, teaching has so far been my favorite career. Currently I work at Safety Technology International (STI). STI was built on the invention of my grandfather, and grown through the leadership of my mother Margie Gobler.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
To list a few: Rustic Leaf, Jerry’s Coney Island, Pontiac Lake Inn, Great Lakes Family Restaurant; there’s a special place in my heart for Heroes BBQ & Brew where the food is excellent and the staff is over the top.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve worked for STI since I was 4 years old. On top of that I’ve worked at Lakeland Hardware, Hollywood Video, and Waterford Mott High School.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Right now I’d travel to Brazil, Rio to enjoy the beaches. I’m typing this in July, so technically its Winter there….reread this in 6 months.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Favorite Movie: Ghostbusters Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be mind loose but soul strong. Leadership comes from the soul not necessarily the brain. Just because its logical, doesn’t make it correct.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Start a bucket list
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Yo-Yo Ma
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Cafe Max off the airport. I was never of drinking age to enjoy the bar, but that was by far one of my favorite places to be.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Howard Gardner; a Developmental Psychologist. Educators know that that the current state of assessment is inadequate to measure what indiivduals know. Not only youth, but adults as well. Gardner has been identifying methods to better assess, none have made their way into general education standard assessments which is a true disappointment, to me at least.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The lakes; somewhere somebody has 700 acres of land. Good for them, I’ll take a body of water. Waterford is a blessed community in that our lakes are a treasure.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years I see myself back in the classroom teaching on top of another career. The itch to teach has never left.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m still very much an introvert, I enjoy solitude and quiet however to lead the introvert needs to be overcome.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Any beach, Lake Michigan or the Atlantic. Anyone who’s been with me around a beach knows I have to touch it.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month: May as Spring melts the know and the smell of Summer is upon us. Holiday: Christmas, I love the cookies and decorations. Best Day on the Calendar: Groundhog Day, leave it to the United States to have such a ridiculously great holiday.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Barefeet on an outdoor walk
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
There are a few, I need to do a better job letting them know who they are. However I inspire myself much of the time as inspiration needs to be as much intrinsic as it can be extrinsic.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coconut, I love the taste and smell of coconut.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
It’s the largest small town in the world
