It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly fifty years since we walked across that stage in 1977. Back then, life stretched out in front of us like an open road. We were full of ideas, energy, and uncertainty about what the future might bring. Looking back now, I can see that the road was anything but straight, but it’s been filled with twists, turns, and moments that shaped me in ways I never could have imagined.
After graduation, I attended the University of Delaware and studied business, had way too much fun, joined a fraternity, played rugby, and made many lifelong friends. After graduation I got my first job and moved to New York City where I enthusiastically embraced learning real-world business practices. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to serve at a high level at a few small to mid-sized companies and have enjoyed the challenges and successes. I am still happily working hard to this day and have no plans to retire anytime soon.
In 1988, I got married, and together we raised three amazing children. We decided that the best place to put down roots was the very same town where I grew up. We bought a home in Livingston, and raising our family there turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made. The town still represented a great community, with good schools, familiar streets, and plenty of friends who made it feel like home. Watching my kids grow up in the same place that shaped me was both surreal and comforting—almost as if life had come full circle.
My children are now grown and building wonderful lives of their own, all in New York City. Nikki, one of my twins, is 32 and married to Corey, and they have an amazing 13 month old son, Louie. Nikki’s twin brother, Dylan, is married to Alexis—who also grew up in Livingston—which makes that connection especially meaningful. Dylan and Alexis they have a beautiful daughter, Olivia, who is now 16 months old. The grandchildren have brought incredible joy to our family. My youngest, Cooper, is 30 and recently got engaged to Danielle. It’s been amazing watching them grow into adulthood, find partners, and begin building families of their own. I’ve even been given a new name…G-POP!
In my early 40s, life took a difficult turn when I went through a divorce. It was one of those moments that shakes you and makes you reevaluate everything. But life has a funny way of offering new chapters when you least expect them. By sheer coincidence, I reconnected with my college love, Bonnie, a few years later. What started as a chance reconnection grew into something lasting and strong. Nine years ago, we got married, and with Bonnie came not just love, but a bigger family. Her two children, Max—who is married to Hannah—and Carly—who is married to Josh—became part of my life, and together we now share five incredible kids. Our blended family has been one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. But we weren’t done…Bonnie and I had to have our own baby so we had Sophie, our wonderful dog!
With Bonnie also came a new place to call home. After decades in Livingston, it felt like the right time for a change, and I moved down to Monmouth County. It’s been a wonderful transition—new surroundings, new friends, living the Jersey shore life, and yet still close enough to stay connected to my mom, siblings, and my roots.
Alongside family, the friendships I’ve carried from our days in Livingston have been another constant in my life. Some of my closest relationships began in those hallways and have only grown stronger with time. My friend Dan Blum has been at my side for decades—we’ve shared countless journeys together, from youthful adventures to the challenges and joys of adulthood, to even working together. Despite living across the country in California, Scott Lampe and I have never let distance get in the way; somehow, we always manage to find our way back to each other, as if no time has passed. And in one of those wonderful surprise’s life throws at you, I ran into Eric Allen at a house party in Monmouth County just a few years ago—someone I hadn’t seen since high school. That chance meeting led to a new friendship, and today Eric and his wife Nancy have become close friends of ours. These connections remind me that the bonds we formed in those early years truly can last a lifetime.
Family and friendships have been the foundation for everything else. While I’ve enjoyed a dynamic career with the chance to lead and grow businesses, careers come and go, industries evolve, and plans change, but it’s the people in our lives—the ones who laugh with us, support us, and walk alongside us—that endure.
Outside of those relationships, I’ve tried to keep life interesting. Travel has always inspired me, whether it’s a trip overseas or simply exploring somewhere new closer to home. I’ve found real joy in creating and dreaming, not out of necessity, but out of possibility.
Of course, the years since high school haven’t been without their challenges. But what I’ve learned is that resilience is everything. Humor helps us through the darkest days. And maybe most of all, life rarely follows the script we thought it would—but sometimes the unexpected chapters turn out to be the best ones.
At 18, success looked like shiny things—money, cars, titles. At 65, success looks time with family, the joy of grandchildren, the comfort of friendships that have lasted decades, and the gratitude for good health. If you’re lucky, you live long enough to see what really matters.
To my classmates, thank you for being part of those early chapters. Whether we were close friends or just passing faces in the hallways, those days mattered. They gave us community and connection. I hope life has been kind to each of you, and I’d love to reconnect, share stories, and hear about where your journeys have taken you.
I want to extend a special thank you to Michael Hauser for all the work he does to keep us all connected and informed. His effort keeps our Class of ’77 spirit alive, and I’m grateful for it.
So, here’s to us—the Class of 1977. We’ve come a long way, and there’s still plenty of road ahead.
