Where were you born, education/degrees or associations/board seats? I was born in Teaneck, New Jersey. I don't know where the accent went, though. I don't ever recall having one. My parents sure do! I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with a degree in business administration and graphic communications management.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Probably a paleontologist. I went to school originally for architecture. Definitely not the guy who sits in meetings all day.

Name of company & position, or your very first job? Owner, Burntcow MediaWorks.

Family? I have one. Been married to Jenn almost 14 years. 2 kids - Declan, a 10 year old and Rowan, a 7 year old. We have a new dog, Tonka. He's great.

Interests/hobbies/last book read/favorite movie/what’s playing in on your car’s stereo/pastimes? I like the outdoors, exploring new things and places, large internal combustion engines, and the black and gold. Policy interests me, but politics don't. Music depends on the moment in time (and whether kids are in the car), I like a lot of different things, but usually always loud. Let's say Beastie Boys right this second. Sadly, I can't remember the last book I read that was intended for my age bracket, but there is a pile waiting for me to get around to them. Damn internet ...

Best business decision, or hardest business decision? Going out on my own.

Biggest career accomplishment/highlight to date, or what do you like best about your job? Seeing my team's work in a Super Bowl commercial was pretty badass.

Most important lesson that you've learned in business? Relationships matter.

Career mentor/favorite words of wisdom/role model? “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Most memorable Rotary moment or event? Setting Pukaite Woods on fire with Tom Aranow.

On Sunday, March 4th, COA Youth & Family Centers will roll out the red carpet for their 20th Annual Hollywood Gala. This "Oscars" event takes place downtown Milwaukee at the Hilton, and includes a formal dinner, one-of-a-kind silent auction and a live screening of the Academy Awards.

The event begins at 5:00 pm and ends at approximately 10:00 pm. Last year COA welcomed over 350 guests and raised $160,000 for their programs.

But such a large fundraising event wouldn't be possible without volunteers. 

Saturday, March 3rd, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Help load up items and boxes at COA's Administrative Office (909 E. North Ave) and then unload everything at Milwaukee Hilton City Center (509 W. Wisconsin Ave).

Sunday, March 4th, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm: Help set up the silent auction and dining rooms at the Milwaukee Hilton City Center (509 W. Wisconsin Ave).

Sunday, March 4th, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Help greet guests, monitor the auction, sell raffle tickets, assist with registration and check-out etc.

If you can help at any of the times and places listed above please contact Jeff Kim at jtkim052810@gmail.com.

By Albert Essien, Rotary Club of Tema Meridian, Ghana

Fante Mayera is a medium-size rural community of about 800 people in the greater Accra region of Ghana. In August, I visited the community with the manager of the Rotary-USAID partnership in Ghana and other officials to meet with villagers and check on the progress of a borehole and latrine. I had been part of an initial visit with my Rotary club in 2016 to assess conditions there, and it was exciting to return and see the difference this important collaboration is making.

The main occupation of the people in Fante Mayera is farming. The community is connected to the National Electricity Grid so inhabitants have access to a power supply. The community had an existing hand-dug well, which was installed a decade ago. But over time, the quality of the water had become very bad. When we arrived at the well site, the apron was hanging off from erosion and the hand pump was not working. To fetch water, villagers had to use a bucket and rope. The color of the water resembled tea.