My interest in heart health began in 1995 when my father-in-law started experiencing chest pain and was hospitalized, ultimately undergoing a quadruple bypass.  At the time, this was a major open-chest operation that required a heart-lung machine, a long recovery and months of rehabilitation.  Today, thanks to medical breakthroughs and innovations such a case might well be handled with a cardiac caheterization - a much less invasive procedure with a faster recovery time.  My father-in law is here today and doing very well.  

My awareness deepened again in 2013, when my own father passed away after a long battle with heart disease.  

Despite those personal experiences, it was actually my friend Ric Selip who truly drew me into the work of the American Heart Association.  Around 1997, Ric called and invited me to attend an American Heart Association Breakfast for the Ashtabula County Heart Walk.  Many friends of the Heart Walk knew Ric, and when Ric invited you to one of his community events, the only response was "where and what time?" I arrived at the Breakfast that morning not entirely sure of what to expect.  It didn't take long for me to realize what a remarkable organization the American Heart Association is, and how dynamic our Ashtabula County Heart Walk has become.  I am so proud and honored to be the 2026 Chairman of this year's Ashtabula County Heart Walk.