After graduating in 1970 with a BCE and MEng in Civil Engineering, I went to work with Hummel, George, & Kleine-Kracht Consulting Engineers from 1970 to 1978, where I had two quarters of Co-op. I was involved in helping them set up computer design programs to expedite structural design of various building elements. This was in the early stages of computer design and the time share computer that we accessed from Louisville was actually in Columbus Ohio. Communication was through a teletype machine, where our programs were actually on paper tape that was loaded onto the computer with our program and data. I was involved in structural design of various bridges, stadiums, high rises and many other projects throughout the Region. In 1974 I received my Professional Engineers license in Kentucky.
In July of 1978, I decided to make a career change and do something different by trying the Corporate life in joining Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Engineering Department as a Project Engineer responsible for their reimaging of hundreds of restaurants throughout the United States. I originally thought that I would be there for just a few years and move on, however I continued to grow and take on more responsibility. After becoming a Manager and later a Director of various groups including Engineering, Construction, Real Estate, Asset Management for not only KFC but also Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silvers, and A&W, I retired from YUM Brands after 32 years in 2010. One amazing fact is that from the time I graduated until I retired my office was always less than a half mile from the Newburg Rd and Waterson Expressway intersection, even though I changed companies, positions, and through several reorganizations and acquisitions at KFC/YUM Brands.
Since retiring, I have been very involved with the University of Louisville through the Speed Alumni Council (2010 – present) and the UL Alumni Association Board of Directors (2016 – present). I have also been an investor in a couple of restaurants and several thoroughbreds (both racing and breeding). We have a couple of lake houses at Rough River Lake (about 90 minutes from Louisville) where we spend considerable time during the summer boating and relaxing. In addition to boating, I like to golf and am a season ticket holder for both UL football and basketball.
My wife, Karen, and I have 5 children between us and 3 grandchildren most of which live in the Louisville area all of which live in the Louisville area except one. I really enjoy the time that I can spend with the family, especially the grandkids which are ages 7,12, and 13 (in 2018)
I remember when we had lockers in the basement of the Main Speed Building as a freshman and one day after lunch a number of us went to get our books only to encounter a burning sensation from a chlorine leak. My throat was sore for days after that. Also while co-oping in DC, I experinced the riots after Dr Martin Luther King was shot and killed.
John R Snowden was my favorite Professor.
I was not a big fan of the Statics Classes on TV with Dr Paz
Too Many to share. Life has been good.
Boating, Golfing