Well folks, exactly 30 years ago I arrived in San Diego, and upon seeing it for the first time, I never dreamed that I would spend a huge chunk [38.7%] of my adult life here.

Here I am toasting the younger man who in those days wore a beard, beads, bracelets, bermuda shorts and Birkenstocks! I actually showed up in town late on the 7th, but I really connect to the 8th because Richard M. Nixon resigned from the Presidency on that date!

I came here to work as a consultant/manager for University Associates, an internationally renowned human relations publishing, consulting, and training firm. John E. Jones and Tony Reilly
were my two major colleagues. Thus my career as an organizational consultant was born. Since that fateful date I have enjoyed consulting to hundreds of clients hopefully touching people’s lives in a constructive and growth producing manner.

Romance you ask? Why yes. **Susie** who lovingly helped me to settle here and to appreciate the beauties of this area, especially the sea critters and flowers, and then of course Ellen the love of my life, who I married in 1979. In 1987 she “got on the bus Gus, went out the back Jack.”
And then **Lynn** who remains a close friend.

I have tears as I reflect on those 8,408 days. Much joy and growth and wonderful friendships. Its been pretty damned good! I think I’ll stay another 30 years!