As the proud son of a single mom, I know firsthand how difficult it can be for young families — and especially for single parents — to make ends meet. It wasn’t uncommon for us to eat dinner with my grandmother when the cupboards were bare. Thankfully, when we came up short, we had a loving community of family and friends to help bridge the gap.
Not everyone is so lucky.
I attended public schools, and in vo-tech I learned woodworking, small engine repair, and I even joined the Future Farmers of America. But the opportunity I had to learn TV production set me on a professional path I could not have imagined when I started out.
I arrived at Edinboro University 27 years ago this fall, the first in my family to attend college, and with just enough money in my pocket to carry me through my first semester. To help pay my way, I went in search of a job. That winter, I began my broadcasting career at WICU-TV. It was my first union job and it gave me a unique opportunity to get the lay of the land and to learn about Erie — its rich history and boundless potential. I quickly developed a profound respect for Erie and what it means to be an Erieite.