Like many before me, I too want to thank the committee members who are making this happen. It is amazing how their efforts have brought and will bring so many people together. I have already connected with several old friends as a result. The full disclosure on my picture is that it is about five years old. I have added some pounds and have subtracted some hair (daughter now driving), while my better half, Harriet, still looks as good as ever.

EDUCATION / CAREER

You might say I skipped around a bit and experienced a few periods of unemployment. I never really stuck with anything longer than three years, but now I have been with my current employer for 16 years.

1972-1976            BS in Finance from WVU (drinking age was 18 at that time)

1976-1979            Westinghouse Credit Corporation in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Lexington, Kentucky.

1979-1981            MSIA from CMU’s GSIA (whatever that means) in Pittsburgh

1981-1984            Brief retail career with Federated Department Stores (Sanger Harris) in Dallas.

1984-1990            Changed career to ad agency account management with Dallas office of GSD&M (3 years) and JC Penney’s ad agency, NW Ayer (3 years).

1991-1994            Moved to client side becoming Advertising Manager for Aetna Health Plans. They moved their headquarters to Hartford, CT in late 1994.

1995                       Worked 11pm-7am shift in a tile factory so I could pursue an entrepreneurial dream in the bicycling industry while simultaneously seeking a real job during the day. The entrepreneurial dream has not yet materialized but I still have hope for the future.

1996-Present       Advertising & Sponsorship Manager for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Moved away from traditional advertising responsibilities into a very fun job managing the company’s sports sponsorship portfolio that includes the Dallas Cowboys with a suite in Jerry World and most other pro teams and major universities across Texas. I am the Ticket Guy.

FAMILY

I was slow in getting married and slow in having kids. So now I am just an old guy with young kids, payback for too many years of unobstructed fun prior to joining the ranks of parenthood. I first met my wife when we both worked for a Sanger Harris store in 1981. I joke about us meeting in the sheets but we really did. I worked in Housewares and she worked in Bed Linens across the aisle. We started dating in 1983, were married in 1987 and just recently hit the 25 year mark on June 20^{th of} this year. Amazing! She’s as loving and as understanding as she is beautiful. Not sure how I got so lucky but it was my best career move ever. Our first child, Bess, was born in 1996. She’s now a newly licensed driver and a junior in HS who has been a dancer all her life (lots of lessons and $$$$). Now she is on the drill team (more $$$$). My son, Drake, is 13, plays pretty good basketball and football, and has recently developed an interest in golf (more $$$$). As most parents are, I’m proud of both kids. Now I am focused on seeing them succeed on their own someday. They are both good students who have always been active, engaged and healthy. And for that I am truly blessed.

HOBBIES / INTERESTS

I have little time for these as I am usually just scrambling to keep up with the hectic pace of day-to-day family life. However, at least 3-4 times per week, I ride my bicycle for recreation and fitness. I live only minutes away from one of the treasures of the city of Dallas. This urban oasis is White Rock Lake Park, a beautiful lake and park with a 10 mile bike trail loop. While not a scene from a Colorado travel brochure, for Dallas, it’s pretty darn scenic. My other main avenue of relaxation is watching sports on television as I’m too lazy and too cheap to attend live events. My favorite is the Tour de France. And yes, I am a long-time fan of my fellow Texan, Lance Armstrong. I remain so to this day, despite the recent news because I am willing to either believe him or to simply look the other way. I mean the guy singlehandedly embarrassed the French for seven years straight. Merci beaucoup Lance. Alas, my favorite teams are no longer the Steelers, the Pens and the Pirates, but I do like them second best. I’m just happy to have been a sports fan who has lived in the two best sports cities in the world! I am really looking forward to the reunion. Seeing Bill, Todd and Stone a few months ago inspired me and it is hard to say no to Bill. I’ll be attending Friday and Saturday nights and I will be buying Bill a few drinks to help offset the tremendous bar tab he has already accumulated. Others should do the same.

(Editor’s note- this has been bolded, underlined and highlighted for the vision impaired)

COME RIDE WITH ME

PS - I’m hoping to ride about 20 miles (leisurely pace with a lunch stop) on the Saturday of our reunion, if weather permits (dry and above 45-50 degrees), to check out the bike trails downtown and along the rivers. I’d be interested in any input from others who may know the area better than me. So far, seems like the best option might be Golden Triangle Bicycle Rental downtown.

So if anyone has any ideas to share or is interested in joining me, just let me know. dan_detar@bcbstx.com    972-766-8931