I work in the wonderful
and always fascinating world of health insurance..
(Insert company plug here) Aetna is one of the nation's
leading providers of health, dental, group, life, disability
and long-term care benefits. As an account manager, I
am responsible for maintaining an assigned book of business
in Aetna's National Account segment. Working for Aetna
for the past (almost) 7 years has allowed me to live in
and travel to virtually every corner of the US. (Professional
gypsy of sorts).
Highpoints
of your life since high school?
Other than surprising
even myself by developing a career and earning a decent
living, I have honed my skills as a professional Stevie
Nicks "groupie". (I know...green with envy,
aren't you??) In addition to meeting Stevie 5 times
(as well as the other Fleetwood "Macs", Don
Henley, etc., etc.) I "worked" backstage at
the Radio Music Awards in Las Vegas and met many other
celebrities (some very nice, others, just, well, not
nice). I have learned that they are just people like
you and me except they have lots and lots of money,
"yes" people, and really cool jobs...(unlike
you and me).
While living in San Francisco,
I wrote some stories for a comedian. It was "neat"
hearing someone tell MY stories on morning radio a couple
of times. The other highlight has been maintaining a
friendship with JoAnn Williamson (Vasbinder) and the
fact that she lets me around her husband and children
after all these years..
What are your memories
of high school (i.e. secret crush, embarrassing moment,
funniest thing you did in high school, favorite high school
hang out, favorite teachers)?
I still have
dreams (bad ones) that I can't find my locker (or remember
its combination)and that my life is a perpetual "10th
Hour" and I am wearing a gym suit that hasn't been
washed in a really really long time. My "secret
crush" Freshmen and Sophmore years was Kirsten
Pickart (now Zrinsky). She was beautiful... Golden locks
and eyes like stars...My "secret crush" Junior
and Senior years was Bob Bussa*. He was beautiful...
Golden hair and eyes like stars. *Disclaimer - I did
not and do not know Bob Bussa. Any reference to my "secret
crush" on Bob Bussa does not imply that he, like
me, is a 'mo or that he in turn had a "secret crush"
on me. (Please don't beat me up/send me hate mail unless
the mail includes a picture of Bob..)
My favorite teacher was Monsieur
Harding. He was really nice to me during a difficult
time (remember, I was the high school kid who got my
own apartment..) I also have fond memories of friends
like Sara Corrough (Teppema), Jean Ryba (married, but
still "Ryba") and Mark Cerepa (also married
and, obviously, still "Cerepa"). They were
all smart, nice and fun. (Triple threats, if you will...)
Thank you...
If you could go back to
high school for one day what would you change or do differently?
I worked on the
Echo (on and off) and was asked to participate in a discussion
group for the book "Voices of Conflict". I participted
in the group about gays - I think Mr. Span wanted to "out"
me..Anyway, I basically said I hated them. Obviously,
that ain't true..If you still have your copy of the book,
please update/edit it accordingly - a "post it"
note stating "Kevin says Gay = OK" will do.
Which was your favorite
song or performer in high school?
Stevie Nicks, Madonna,
Wham (what was I thinking?)
Which is your favorite
performer or song today?
Stevie Nicks and
too many others to list.
Places you've lived:
Chicago, IL (and
many of the surrounding suburbs), Phoenix, AZ, San Francisco,
CA and Atlanta, GA.
Places you've traveled:
Virtually everywhere
in the US (except Iowa, North/South Dakota and Montana,
although I did apply to be a singing waiter at Glacier
Nat'l Park the summer after college. I can't sing though,
so I thought it best not to go..)(I don't recommend the
state of Ohio...)
Bahamas, Toronto, Montreal, London, Paris.
What are your hobbies and
interests?
I like to travel
(and do other things I can't say here). When I am in town,
I volunteer for a non-profit animal rescue agency (and
I call JoAnn a lot to see what she is doing).
Message(s) you'd like to
post for fellow classmate(s)?
I think I covered
everything by thoroughly answering the questions above..
Did you attend the 10 year
reunion?
No
With Stevie
Nicks and Don Henley, in Phoenix - August 2005
