BLI Graduation Year: 2010
Tell us briefly about yourself and please update your classmates on your personal/professional experiences since graduating from BLI:
I was a high school history teacher before becoming an attorney but realized that I am too introverted to be in front of hundreds of students all the time. I taught Keuka College students for a few years and that was awesome and rewarding. I could get used to that. If you have kids thinking about becoming a teacher, make sure they read 900 Shows a Year, which is about teaching. And if they are thinking of law school, have them read Law School Confidential before taking on that commitment. That unsolicited advice aside, time just flies by these days. I started drinking coffee a few years ago and I like it. A lot. And I don’t know where else in this questionnaire this fits, but hats off to Amy Shaw and the work she does for BLI. Talk about impacting the community! It’s impressive how she keeps this going and connects so many of us to the many local community agencies and organizations that make this area a nice place to live, so I want to thank her.
Favorite books/movies (feel free to provide short explanation/commentary):
My favorite movies include Rushmore, Star Wars: Episode IV and Rogue One, and I can’t turn off classic movies such as The Godfather I and II or movies with Grace Kelly or Cary Grant, or those directed by Hitchcock.
My favorite books include Bodyguard of Lies by Anthony C. Brown which is about the Allies’ deceptions leading up to D-Day, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig, Here, There, and Everywhere by Geoff Emerick who was the lead engineer on several Beatles albums, and short story mysteries.
Current and Past Notable Civic Activities (boards, organizations [member/official]):
I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Binghamton Blizzard Girls Hockey Association which is the only all girls hockey league in the area. In the past I served on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome and the Binghamton Club.
Interests/Hobbies (sports, music, travel, etc):
I enjoy playing hockey and golf but every year I can’t wait until it’s warm enough to go boating and waterskiing. And like most parents, I enjoy watching my kids in their myriad activities. They humble me.
How did your BLI experience change your perception of the community?
It was wonderful seeing the difference facets of the community that one would likely never see up close such as the new technologies in use by various companies, the talented pool of workers, and the variety of economic engines. I marvel at the efforts put forth by people in our community.
How did your BLI experience motivate you to become more involved in the community?
It didn’t take long to see that our community is vibrant and offers a lot of activities but is dependent on volunteers to make events happen. It was a matter of finding the best fit and that non-profit fair where we got to see local agencies in one place helped to facilitate that collaboration.
What was your most memorable BLI activity/moment?
There were two memorable BLI activities for me. One was visiting the dairy farm and learning more about the impact of farming on the local economy and the financial extremes they experience each year. The other was visiting the BC Jail and seeing how well that facility is organized.
What was the most valuable benefit to your from your BLI experience?
BLI let me see first hand what our area has to offer in terms of companies, charitable organizations and entertainment. Our community has a little bit of everything.
What “nugget of wisdom” do you have for your fellow BLI alum?
What words could I possibly have to offer such a motivated and talented group of people that they don’t already know? BLI members are the kind of people you want as neighbors, friends and leaders in the community. All I can think to say is that it is OK to say no every so often as there are always forces trying to compete for our time. It’s good to wind down from time to time. And always stay hydrated.