I grew up in and around Chicago. My education was Catholic through high school completed at a Jesuit academy in Illinois.I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1962, serving on active duty until 1968. Semper Fi!I have almost 5 decades of experience in a wide variety of business activities. I began my first businesses in college; establishing a home party bar catering business and a tree trimming service.I graduated from Loyola University in Chicago in 1971 with a BBA Accounting major in the top 10% of my class. I was offered positiions by all of the Big 8 CPA firms in Chicago. I chose Arthur Young & Company. I began work as a staff auditor in July, 1971. While there I participated in auditing and consulting engagements on behalf of McDonald's Corp., IMC Corp., Northeastern University and several other clients. I was recruited to McDonald's Corp. in 1974 by Jim Cantalupo, then VP Controller at McDonald's. Jim ultimately became the Chairman and CEO of McDonald's. I had worked with Jim at AYC. I was awarded the President's Award at McDonald's in 1978 while working for Jim as a Zone Controller in Los Angeles.I began my entrepreneurial career in 1981, joining forces with a lifelong friend, Thomas H. Baur.Specialties: I have developed a well rounded set of entreprenuerial skills including good strategic vision, a broad level of expertise with financial dynamics, operating processes, technology applications and marketing principles. I am committed to continuing to participate in small ventures such as restaurant development, real estate investment and selected other venture business endeavors.