[Note: This interview is one of 100 conducted in Nevada County, California by Gary Quehl and his colleagues. One half of the interviews were conducted with “senior sage leaders” (Dennis Fournier being one of these senior sage leaders). The other 50 interviews were conducted with “emerging sage leaders” in Nevada County. All of those who were interviewed are actively involved in the ongoing development of their community.]
You have been identified by friends and colleagues as one of our community’s 50 top senior sage leaders. A sage leader is a person who brings unusual experience, sound judgment, and wisdom in working to advance the civic well-being of our community. We thank you for participating in our interview process.
1. To begin, how many years have you lived in Nevada County, and where in the county do you reside?
We moved to Penn Valley in May of 1987 and have lived in the same location ever since. I’ve come to like Penn Valley quite a bit actually.
2. Are you working, semi-retired, or retired? May I ask how old you are?
I am retired and I will be 67 on my next birthday.
3. If you would, please share your personal history: where you grew-up; where you went to school and college; what organizations you have worked for and the positions you have held. And be as detailed as you would like.
I grew up in a small Massachusetts town in New England. I joined the Air Force right out of high school at a very young 17 and was 21 four years later when I left. While in military service, I did a tour in France and Vietnam.
I married shortly after I left the service and went on to graduate from the University of Washington in Seattle. Then I did graduate work at Pacific Lutheran University in Lakewood, just outside of Tacoma. I had held a multitude of jobs when I was going through school and ended-up in 1974 getting a two-year internship with the Federal Highway Administration in administration and finance. One of attractions of the positions was I was able to spend my first year in Olympia on the condition that I would go to any state in the union where they needed me. I guess I was ready to go anywhere to get out of the rain.
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