I was born and raised in Stylus, MO. My wife Thelma, a standard poodle, two abandoned cats, as well as a herd of deer, and I live in Branson MO. I spent thirty plus years in the footwear business, from Management to wholesale and retail development. Before moving to Branson in the eighties, we had stops along the way in Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte and Kansas City. Seeing the demise of American shoe manufacturing as I knew it, and the rising popularity of athletic footwear, I decided it was time for a career change. Sports and Music have always been hobbies with me, but at my stage in life, the market for either was slim to none. For a few years I tried the Automobile, and sign business. Both were a little more cut throat than I was used to. Then one day a friend of mine who was in the Fireworks business called me and said the company he was working for needed a person to cover Missouri and Arkansas. I had reservations since I knew nothing about Fireworks and I did not want any part of working for another big corporation, but decided to give it a shot. It was a new venture that was a complete opposite from much that I had done in the past. I spent four year there before joining Jake’s.

The past five years with Jake’s have been very enjoyable. A hot product, the best pricing, And a family work environment to work in. You are hired to do a job, and they let you do it. No micro management and no political posturing. You can pick up the phone and talk to a superior, and get an answer. My long range goal is to advise our customers, and help them become more profitable. My theory has always been if my customer is successful and makes money, I will also be a success. I have always believed that honest and trust will breed success.