1. Had fun hanging around the likes of Doug Wohlers, Bob Miller, Jeff Hottovy, etc. Always was good for laughs. There was the time when Bob, Jeff, Brian Long, Jim Bruns and I jumped on the train only to find out the speed had picked up considerably towards the end of town. We all jumped off in a panic and I remember Jim Bruns flew out and I thought for sure he would have broke his neck. Jeff Demo was a bad influence on me in my Junior year and helped me get a D in Phy Ed with Mr. Mulder. Didn't enjoy being beat out for a varsity spot by Brian Wetz but did enjoy seeing him win a state wrestling championship later on... I sure did a lot of stupid things... I certainly don't want to mention anymore than I have already because it will be my luck my daughters will be reading all of this....
2. Always remember shop class with Mr. Brimi - I think he liked me; I was pretty sure he didn't like Ivan Irwin. Soccer games in the morning before school and at noon were the ultimate - no rules, tackle allowed and even a few fights a week. Great time. I didn't have very much fun when Brian Moser pitched a fast ball in baseball practice across the plate when I was catching - wouldn't have been so bad but there was a time out and I was tying my shoe! It was the only strike I think he ever threw. My mom ended my catching career right there.
3. Mary Jeanne Mahoney and I were married 7/25/81. She has been a true blue trooper as we struggled through college and the early years of starting a private practice from scratch. The early years as many of us know are usually a little rough and there was no exception for us. School was demanding; both of us held down jobs and we started a family early on. Finances were challenging to say the least; but as we look back; those days were just as good as the days we have now without most of those early challenges. We have shared a great 18 years together and I hope and pray that is only a drop in the bucket compared to what it will be someday.
We have 5 daughters: Jennifer (17) [has her first 'boy' friend], Ashley (14) [looking for her first 'boy' friend], Heather (11) [our social butterfly], Michelle (6) [well organized, meticulous, borderline perfectionist], and Amy (3) [thinks she is 'Mulan'; she will probably be our actress]. God has richly blessed our family over the years and has been so faithful to us in the good times and the hard times. We owe everything good in our life to Him. My parents still live in Morris and they both work in my dad's accounting business. My brother Troy married Lori Dingman and have three children. Troy is in business with my dad. Chad married Lori Mahoney (yes, a niece to Mary Jeanne - Morris is a small town!) They have one boy and one on the way. Chad and Lori are partners with Mary Jeanne and I in practice in Brookings.
4. Attended UMM and completed 3 academic years (pre professional curriculum requirements). I was accepted and graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Minnesota (accelerated program 4400 hour doctorate program of study) Dec '84. Started private practice in Brookings SD Feb '85. About 6 years ago we built a 6400 sq ft clinic facility and we currently operate a multidisciplinary (MD, PT, DC) rehab facility. Our practice grew from one chiropractic physician to three, including my younger brother Chad who has recently become a partner. About 3 years ago, I started a managed care organization/Chiropractic PPO, to help address our need to control health plan coverage and all the other issues associated with managed care in our state. We are currently the largest Chiropractic PPO in the state and have recently developed a referral network with one large orthopedic clinic in the region. The managed care plan received certification from the Department of Labor and Division of Insurance in South Dakota and Department of Commerce of Minnesota. I have had the honor of holding numerous leadership positions in our state professional association and am currently acting president of the South Dakota Chiropractors Association. I have taken an active role testifying in the state legislature the past 10 years regarding workers compensation issues and state health care policy and laws.
Our faith has been an active influence in our lives. We currently teach Sunday school and host a weekly bible fellowship group. I am currently serving as vice chairman of our church and have served on the church board for the last 7 years. My daughters are active in the church youth program as well.
I have also served as past president of a local community youth organization (Optimist Club - ever heard of it?).
Our family loves to camp. We hope to expand this into fishing and water skiing over the next couple of years. We recently built a new home. Much energy has been spent the last two years planning and constructing. Hunting is tremendous in South Dakota and one of my personal goals is to do more of it!
How does my life compare now with what I thought 20 years ago as a nappy headed little know-it-all?
It scares me to think how stupid I really was. The challenge for me is to not worry about if my kids think the same way I did! Actually, I am finding out they are so much smarter than I was. I will have to admit, when I was a junior I had a desire to be a chiropractic physician. What I didn't know was how the Lord would use my life in that area. The hardest thing I think I ever had to do was let Him have control of my life; but once I did He faithfully demonstrated time and time again the fruits of faith. It is a daily walk, but fulfilling. I look forward to whatever time I have left to continue along the path outlined for me and my family and trust in the Lord along the way.