[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” (Chuck Coovert 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?
My wife and I live in Alta Sierra Ranches. We have lived in Nevada County for about 28 years, and I am retired but devote much of my time to community service.
2. Are you working, semi-retired, or retired? May I ask how old you are?
I am retired and am 74 years old.
3. If you would, please share a bit about 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.
I grew up in Paducah Kentucky and went all through school there. I traveled a bit when my dad was transferred during WW II, but we settled after the war and I graduated from Paducah high school. On the day after I graduated I headed for California, where I joined my father who was working in San Francisco. I started College and got my AA degree in Electrical Engineering. After that I started with a small electronic manufacturing company. And also got an AA degree in Electronic Engineering. I worked for a period of time with Beckman Instruments. I then went to work for Ampex Corporation in Redwood City CA for about 11 years.
I got fed up with the situation at Ampex, and the day I resigned I got a call from a headhunter wanting me to interview for a job with the Grass Valley Group. It was a company in the same video equipment manufacturing field as Ampex, and I decided to take the job. My wife and I had vacationed in this area so I was familiar with Grass Valley and Nevada County. I worked for the Grass Valley Group for about 11½ years and became Marketing Manager, then headed up Tactical Marketing for the GVG.
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