My story begins on a sun-kissed beach in Kauai.  I was taking my first real vacation in, well, ever, and I was loving life.  After a few days of island living, I had stopped checking my e-mail.  After a week, I turned off my cell phone.  Then, in that quiet place, I had a series of conversations with myself…

I had climbed the corporate ladder to great effect.  After careers as a Forest Ranger (was laid off), a Stockbroker (not a great fit for me), and a Visual Effects Cameraman (technology passed me by), I had finally found unqualified success as an exectutive.

I ran the Client Services department for a hot Beverly Hills multimedia company.  My work took me all around the world, I had a great salary, expense account, freedom to do things my way, the whole shebang.  The only problem was, in that quiet place, I found it just wasn’t enough…

I needed to find a way to do good, rather than just doing well.

My previous bouts with (forced) career change had prepared me to do the hard work necessary to make a transition.  This time, rather than figuring out how I could make the best living, I turned my focus into how I could make the best life.

I went back to school and spent a year getting my career coaching certification.  Then I went to work.  As the CEO of IDEAL Career Services, and more recently the Founder of the ENCORE Career Institute, I am busy every day helping people to launch the ENCORE Careers.  I write curricula, lead workshops, give presentations, and even squeeze in a little one-on-one coaching every once in a while. 

I lead of life of continuous learning – reading every day, writing, attending professional development workshops.  In fact, I recently completed a week of intensive study with Richard Bolles, the author of "What Color is Your Parachute?" and my personal model for what a career coach should be (empowering, not guru-like).

I’ve learned many lessons in my vocational journey, from some amazing teachers and coaches.  The one that comes to mind as I write this is something said by my minister Rev. Ed Bacon as he was quoting Rabbi Abraham Heschel, "In every moment, something sacred is at stake." 

My Encore Career, as an Encore Career Coach, allows me to honor the sacredness of my days.