Spouse: Tama
Pickens
Occupation:
Public Relations
Children: 2
Grandchildren: 0
Car I Drove: Volkswagen Super Beetle
Hangout:
Polar Bear
Song/Artist:
"Procession of the Nobles"
Teacher:
Bill Lively, Mary Ann
Branson
Fondest/Worst Memory:
Fondest:
Playing in the band, both in marching
and concert seasons.
Worst: Passing out from heat
exhaustion during summer band practice.
What
I've Learned Since Graduation
Never say anything to hurt
someone's feelings.
Don't get married until you are over 30.
Try to have children before you're over 40.
Never take the apartment that is next to the pool (the noise from the
children far outweigh the view of the babes).
Never break a promise.
Be nice to everyone in your organization; you never know who will end up
being your boss.
You can't plan for a disaster, but you can be prepared for it.
Life may be a journey, but it's important to designate way stations.
Adversities that don't kill you make you stronger -- and smarter.
Listen to your gut instinct.
It's easy to be spiritural on top of a mountain.
The
Last 35 Years
After graduation I studied acting at two community
colleges, but ended up being called in the last draft of the Vietnam War.
I spent four years in the US Navy. I earned a Journalism Degree from UTA
(Class of '79) and worked for a small newspaper in Palestine, Texas, and a
medium-sized newspaper in Lubbock. In 1984, I worked as a free lance
writer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. By the end of the year, I accepted
the lowest position in the City of Dallas' Public Information Office to
pay the rent.
By 1994, I was in the highest position in the department, as Public
Information Officer. By that time, I was married again and had become the
proud Dad of a little boy (our first). I was hired to be Tarrant County's
Public Information Officer in 1998. Less pressure and more pay. The boys
are playing baseball and making good grades. My wife is thinking of taking
up golf.
That's it so far. I can hardly wait to see what's around the next corner.
