I was very fortunate and appreciative to spend the majority of my 50-year business career with two outstanding Pittsburgh companies, Landmark Savings Bank and PWCampbell. I held executive positions with both companies. For 21 years, I was humbled to be the President and CEO at PWCampbell.

During my career I was afforded the opportunity to speak at many national and state banking conferences on the new trends in banking facilities. I was an Adjunct Professor in the evenings at Robert Morris University and the Community College of Allegheny County. I served on the Plum School Board for 8 years and the Planning Commission for 4 years. I enjoyed being the "Voice of Mustang Basketball" during the winningest years of boys basketball. Little did I know these activities would be so beneficial to my career after retirement.

Adam Szarmach was a friend and Principal at Plum Middle School. I told him I retired 30 days ago and was already trying to find something meaningful to do. I knew I did not want to get back into the grind of business management. I was tired of meeting after meeting, traveling and "being a Boss." Adam told me about substitute teaching and being a full-time building Sub at his building. It didn't take long for me to start the process of achieving certification.

Now, after 5 months of 2 school years, I am doing something I look forward to everyday. This was the first time in my life I was excited about starting back to school. Trading the pressures of executive management to helping students and working alongside teachers is an outstanding transformation for me.

I attempt everyday to find an opportunity to talk to a student(s) about the business work environment, share experiences in hopes they learn and look forward to when it is their time to start a career.

I am learning so much from the outstanding staff and teachers at Plum Middle School. I see how challenging their jobs are daily. They are excellent and caring educators for Plum's seventh- and eighth-graders.

Along with my Plum experiences, I'm doing something that I wanted to do my entire adult life. I am coaching varsity football at Riverview High School.

Today, I have two coaching jobs, one in the classroom and one on the field, and enjoying them both tremendously.

I found out quickly that retirement can be a continuation of an active, learning, and really fun life!