My
STORY
My
STORY
The Two Majesties (Les Deux Majestés)
by Jean-Léon Gérôme 1883
This is My Story | From Cub To Lion
MY FORMATIVE YEARS AS A LION CUB
Everyone has a story. And every story has a beginning. My story begins with the painting above. The ART PIECE shown above is my FAVORITE PAINTING of ALL TIME. I came across this painting years ago as a young adult and was strangely drawn to it. I liked it so much that I ordered a print and had it framed. The print has been hanging in my home for over two decades now. The original oil painting from which the print was made is entitled The Two Majesties. Painted in 1883 by Jean-Léon Gérôme, the piece represents a solitary lion (as one majesty) overlooking a vast ocean (considered to be the other majesty). The sun shines giving life over both. The original oil painting hangs on a wall at the Milwaukee Art Museum of Wisconsin literally only one hour away from where I live today. The imagery of the painting has evolved over time in my mind. At one time, the picture was a representation of me as a young lion cub looking out over the ocean at what was to be my life. Later, it became a representation of an older, seasoned, more mature me looking out over the ocean of what my life has been. Today, it represents a new chapter in my life as a professional copywriter and digital content developer.
You have probably heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Well for me, the picture above is worth MORE than one thousand (1,000) words because it represents my life, and it is difficult to sum up one's life in a thousand words or less. In fact, it will take me a little over three thousand (3,000) words to adequately define my life’s journey and how I came to be a professional copywriter.
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THIS IS MY STORY
ARS GRATIA ARTIS
"Art For Art's Sake"
* Use Of Trademark Symbol Above
Courtesy of MGM
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios)
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President - Concord College Chapter Of Young Republicans
Upon returning to college, I shifted direction slightly and decided to forego a career in dentistry electing to focus on a career in pharmaceuticals instead. Thus, I readjusted my curriculum and pivoted towards the business side of the healthcare industry and the world of pharmaceuticals. In addition to the degree that I was originally pursuing in Life Sciences, I decided to pursue a second major in Political Science. I also became more active in campus politics and was elected as Chapter President of the Young Republicans on my campus. This is when I discovered that I had a passion and a talent for writing. I also participated in campus debates and won the accolades of several professors writing for the college paper. My writing was well received by faculty and friends. And on occasion, I was even asked to write a few resumes for fellow students entering the workforce after college. I would later write a dissertation that would earn me a fully paid scholarship to complete my undergraduate studies as well as a fully paid internship to study Political Science in Washington, DC.
Although I considered myself as a Republican in my earlier years, I would more so characterize myself as an Independent Libertarian today adopting the mantra of "live, and let live."
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My mother, Kathy, at age 19, with me in 1968
To truly appreciate any story, you must start at the beginning. Thus, to understand how the painting above became a representation of me as well as a part of my own life's journey, I must first take you back to my earliest memories as a child. My mother always had an affinity for Lions. She felt that they were majestic animals with an air of nobility that you simply can’t ignore. She loved their posture and the way they carried themselves with confidence.
She often told me as I was growing up that she thought of me as her little lion cub. I likewise considered her a lioness mother protecting and guiding her lion cub into adulthood. Growing up, my mother instilled within me what I would consider to be lion-like virtues and characteristics. They eventually become the CORE VALUES that I live and work by today. Feel free to visit my page on CORE VALUES for more details about my work ethic.
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Lioness With Cub
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Lioness With Cub
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My mother, Kathy, at age 19, with me, at age 1, in 1968 (Maiden, NC)
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My mother, Kathy, at age 24, with me, at age 6, in 1974 (Tuscon, AZ)
“Brothers of the Serengeti” by W. Michael Frye
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My Mother's
Framed Lion Print
My mother also had a large, framed print of another oil painting of two Lions nestled together in the grass that she loved. It hung in our living room for years. The original painting, from which the print was made, is entitled “Brothers of the Serengeti” by W. Michael Frye. I have this same print hanging in my home now along with the first one I showed you earlier in this story.
My future plans would later change, however, following my parents' separation and divorce. As a result, my mother was left alone with no support, no alimony, and no retirement. It seemed unfair, but it was the hand she was dealt. After being a homemaker and a mother for over two decades, my mother would now have to get a job and spend her twilight years working to make ends meet until she could collect social security.
My mother had given me so much as a child, I could not abandon her at this time in her life. So, I elected to temporarily put my studies on hold and get a second job to help support her until she could get on her feet.
It took my mother a while to adjust to her new situation, but she eventually did gain some sort of independence with my support. And after a 2-year hiatus from college while working 2 jobs, I was able to save enough money to return to college and finish my undergraduate studies with a renewed enthusiasm and a new direction.
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Birthday Card Cover From My Mother Sent To Me On My 30th Birthday (1997)
Throughout the years, my mother would continue to reinforce the idea that she thought of me as a young Lion by sending me Birthday Cards featuring the image of a Lion Cub or Lion. I collected these cards over the years and in a way, it conditioned me to think of myself that way as well. To me, lions are bold, no nonsense, solitary souls forging their own path through life driven by confidence and assurance of what and who they are. My mother reinforced this sense of lion-like confidence within me every day of my youth.
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Birthday Card Cover From My Mother Sent To Me On My 40th Birthday (2007)
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Birthday Card Cover From My Mother Sent To Me On My 45th Birthday (2012)
MY HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE YEARS (BECOMING A LION)
In high school, I served as an active member of student council, and I was elected to serve as president of many other academic clubs (Science Club, Spanish Club, Chess Club, etc.) by my fellow classmates. I never really sought those positions or recognition. But many of my fellow classmates would simply volunteer me for the position or encourage me to take on those positions because they thought I would do a good job. Many of them told me that they considered me a natural leader. The faculty even awarded me a scholarship for my leadership at graduation. The scholarship was literally called the “Leadership Scholarship,” and I would later use it to pay for part of my undergraduate studies following high school. I would end up working at a local grocery store to pay for the rest of my tuition. The scholarship is still awarded today at my old high school to students who exhibit the traits of leadership.
Richard Baldwin at age 18 in his Denim Jacket (circa 1986)
On a lighter note, some fellow students in high school told me that they thought I looked a little like Tom Cruise when I was wearing my Denim Jacket and smiling. Wearing a "Denim Jacket" was a big thing back in the 80’s. Actually, I would love to look more like Tom Cruise today and I don't think my wife would mind it much either.
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Tom Cruise at age 18 in his Denim Jacket (circa 1981)
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My Graduation From High School 1986
Following graduation from high school, my routine for the next two years would include attending undergraduate courses at college in the morning and working for a local grocery store on evenings and weekends to pay for my tuition. I somehow found time between work and attending class to study. My intention was to earn my bachelor’s degree in life sciences and ultimately go on to dental school. My curriculum mostly consisted of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Physics. These were prerequisites to enter Dental School.
My First Year As An Undergraduate In College Studying Biology 1986
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I don’t believe any political ideology (Democrat, Republican, Left, Right, Woke, Whatever?) or any Religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Irreligion, Islam, Christianity, Whatever?) should be shoved down anyone else’s throat like so many "so-called" social influencers try to do today. I provide a definition of "IRRELIGION" below.
DEFINITION OF IRRELIGION
Ir·re·li·gion = the absence or rejection of religious beliefs or practices. It encompasses a wide range of viewpoints drawn from various philosophical and intellectual perspectives, including atheism, agnosticism, religious skepticism, rationalism, secularism, and non-religious spirituality.
These perspectives can vary, with individuals who identify as irreligious holding diverse beliefs about religion and its role in their lives.
I don’t really care much for groups that subscribe to any political or religious ideology (left-wing or right-wing) attacking each other, each insisting that they are correct in their views . . . Democrats and Republicans attacking each other . . . Muslims and Christians attacking each other . . . Even attacks internally within the religion of Christianity itself (Protestants versus Catholics attacking each other in Ireland). It’s all nonsense! My response to both/either is . . . "Mind your own business and stay out of mine." I don't really care about your politics or your religion. It's none of my business. Keep it to yourself. And above all, keep it out of the work place. People don't like to be told "what" or "how" they "should" or "should not" think by the thought police on either side.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not opposed to having civil discussions about philosophy, religion, or politics "outside of work" in the company and comfort of friends and family on my own time. I just don’t engage in those topics at work with fellow colleagues with whom I am only acquainted through work.
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Pictured with me here is the Honorable Edwin Meese III, the 75th Attorney General of the United States under President Ronald Reagan. Ed Meese was a prominent conservative leader and Chairman of the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Legal and Judicial Studies.
MY INTERNSHIP AT THE NATION'S CAPITOL
My time in DC was lifechanging. I was awarded a scholarship from the Young America's Foundation to attend George Washington University in Washington, DC. I was able to observe the internal workings of American Government at its core and I was given the opportunity to work with many well-known political leaders as well. As noted earlier, I would consider myself as an Independent Libertarian today and generally someone that minds his own business.
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Pictured with me here is Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, another prominent conservative leader who served in the US House of Representatives for over 3 decades.
MY POST COLLEGE YEARS – A LION STILL LEARNING
Following graduation from college, I began my career in marketing myself locally to any company that would be willing to give me a chance as a new college graduate. My first job out of college was with a newspaper owned by THOMPSON REUTERS CORPORATION. I was hired as an advertising executive to create content for local businesses to market their products and services in the newspaper. I worked closely with the customers to create engaging content that would generate sales. I was eventually introduced to healthcare companies in the area that needed help with their messaging. I later accepted a position with COMMUNITY HOSPICES OF AMERICA as their marketing director coordinating their messaging to the healthcare audience. This job would eventually lead me to my first product management job in pharmaceutical injectables. I accepted a job with GENERAL INJECTABLES & VACCINES (GIV) located in Bastian, Virginia. Here I created marketing content to advertise various vaccines and pharmaceutical injectables to physician offices and pharmacies across the United States. In addition, I worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help allocate vaccines for their Vaccines for Children Program used by multiple states across the United States. Here I also used my writing skills to create marketing content for introducing new vaccines into the healthcare space working closely with Merck and GlaxoSmithKline. I also managed the marketing and distribution of Flu Vaccines across the United States. GIV would later be acquired by HENRY SCHEIN MEDICAL.
The next job in my career would be with a company called MOORE MEDICAL CORPORATION based in New Britain, Connecticut. I would manage the marketing of Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals to the primary Care Physician Space. This company would later be acquired by MCKESSON (a $300+ Billion International Distributor of Healthcare Products) and I would later move from Connecticut to Virginia to manage the Pharmaceutical, Vaccine, and Injectables Business across the United States for MCKESSON. I served in this role for almost a decade interacting with hundreds of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to promote their products and educate healthcare professionals on the use of their products.
During this time, I would also pursue an even higher level of education and enter Graduate School eventually earning my FIRST Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from AVERETT UNIVERSITY in Danville, VA, and my SECOND Graduate Post-MBA Certfication in Product Management & Pharmaceutical Marketing (MSPM) from SAINT JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY in Philadelphia, PA.
Below Is A Roster Of Companies That I Have Worked For During My Career
I would later work for a few other companies including TERUMO CORPORATION to market their medical devices and OWENS & MINOR to promote their distribution services for large hospital systems across the United States. I would eventually land my dream job at PFIZER PHARMACEUTICALS (a $60+ Billion Pharmaceutical Manufacturer of Pharmaceuticals & Vaccines) and be responsible for managing the marketing and distribution of their surgery injectable portfolio of products used in Surgery Centers across the United States.
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ONE CHAPTER ENDS . . . A NEW ONE BEGINS
Following my internship in Washington, DC and completing all my undergraduate studies, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from CONCORD UNIVERSITY in 1994 with Majors in Natural Science and Political Science. Graduation would then lead me to the next chapter in my life.
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A DISTINGUISHED CAREER – A LION’S LIFETIME JOURNEY THROUGH THE LIFE SCIENCES LANDSCAPE
As noted earlier, my background and talent ultimately led me to work for two of the largest and most impactful healthcare companies in the world – MCKESSON (a $300+ Billion International Distributor of Healthcare Products) and PFIZER (a $60+ Billion Pharmaceutical Manufacturer of Pharmaceuticals & Vaccines). Between the two companies alone, I spent over a decade of my life contributing to the success of these businesses as well as expanding my own knowledge significantly. My work entailed analyzing markets, studying buying patterns, and researching competition which led me to create best-in-class marketing content for both organizations.
Due to my contributions, sales of their products and services skyrocketed and I was honored with awards for my contributions to their success. Products promoted through my multi-channel marketing initiatives included pharmaceuticals, medical devices, lab equipment, diagnostics, healthcare consumables, life science equipment, distribution services, and storage & delivery services. Feel free to visit the "My Resume" page of this website to view my full experience.
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Photo of my Mother, Kathy, in 2019 on her 71st Birthday.
LEGACY OF A WONDERFUL MOTHER
& A NOBLE LIONESS
In 2018, I learned my mother had developed DEMENTIA, a condition that causes the loss of cognitive functioning and memory loss to such an extent that it interfered with her daily life and activities.
A year earlier prior to her diagnosis, I recall receiving my annual birthday card from her in 2017. In addition to spending quality time with my mother over the years and visiting her frequently on holidays and occasional weekends when I able to get away from work, I could always count on receiving birthday cards and phone calls from my mother every year on my birthday. In 2017, however, the year of my 50th birthday, things would change. It would be the last year that I would ever receive a birthday card from my mother.
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Last birthday card I would receive from my mother (2017).
The card depicted a LION wearing a crown with the message that she would always love me and believe in me as long as she lived. She still thought of me as her lion cub.
My mother was admitted into a memory care facility in 2018, and I watched her condition deteriorate over the next five years. The personal achievements and goals that I had earned and attained in my life no longer seemed relevant or significant to me anymore. I was soon to lose my mother who had been with me during my life’s journey and who instilled in me values that led me to a GREAT life. Her love and guidance led me to a Wonderful Loving Family, True Life-Long Friends, and a Great Career.
Five years later in early 2023, my mother was placed on hospice care. I knew I had a limited amount of time left to spend with her before she passed away. Thus, I decided to leave the corporate world and take a break from work altogether.
I now wanted to spend as much time with my mother as I could before her light faded from the world. I was able to sit with her daily and hold her hand during the last two weeks of her life.
My mother passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023, with me by her side. She was 74 years old. It was the saddest day of my life. She was my friend through thick & thin. She celebrated my achievements with me and followed my career with pride. The nursing staff that took care of her told me she would frequently take the framed photo she had of me in uniform that she kept displayed on her nightstand next to her bed and carry it around with her as she walked around the facility. They told me she would carry this framed photo around as she walked the floors of the nursing home and would show it to others in the facility saying how proud she was of me. The nurses told me that my mother expressed pride in me all the way up to the last days of her life. I found the thought of my mother having moments of clarity of me as her son comforting.
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PHOTO OF MY MOTHER'S GRAVESITE & HEADSTONE
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USAF CHALLENGE COINS HONORING MY MOTHER
FINAL TRIBUTE TO A WONDERFUL MOTHER AND A NOBLE LIONESS
My mother was quietly laid to rest at the Center View Baptist Church Cemetery in Maiden, NC. She was not much for standing on ceremony. In her final written wishes, she entrusted me to carry out her a final requests. She requested no formal gathering, no graveside service, and no wake. She asked only for a simple, private burial and to be laid to rest quietly among the trees of her church where she frequently took long walks near her home. I honored her last wishes.
During my solitude following her passing, I reflected upon my life and the decisions I had made over the course of my life. In doing so, it ignited a new flame within me that illuminated my path going forward. I know who I am. I am a LION! In a world where everyone is shouting to be seen, to be heard, to be liked . . . I stand apart from ALL of that because of the identity that my mother gave me.
I know who I am. I am a LION! I don't chase approval from anyone, and I don't settle for mediocrity. My mother's gift to me was instilling within me a boldness and confidence as well as a moral compass that guides me to this day. This website is a testament to her perseverance as a mother. She devoted her whole life to molding me into the LION I am today. I continue to forge my own path forward contributing to the betterment of society and serving as a giver rather than a taker. Thank you, Mom, for leading me to a meaningful, purposeful, and honorable life! Thanks for always being there for me! Thanks for everything you did for me! I love you and miss you every day!
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PHOTO OF MY MOTHER'S DEDICATION BENCH & PLAQUE FROM A DISTANCE
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PHOTO OF MY MOTHER'S DEDICATION BENCH & BRONZE PLAQUE UP CLOSE
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PHOTO OF MY MOTHER'S BRONZE DEDICATION PLAQUE
A few months following her passing, I erected a granite bench and sitting area in her honor near her gravesite. The granite bench and sitting area was dedicated to Center View Baptist Church on my mother’s birthday (July 7) and is situated in a serene, quiet, shaded area up under a grove of Dogwood Trees next to the church facing the cemetery.
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MY STORY CONTINUES . . .
My mother’s passing left me with a tremendous sense of loss. It was difficult for me to re-engage with work again after my withdrawal from the corporate world of life sciences to be with my mother in her final months. After her passing, I just couldn’t get excited about going back to work anymore. But my wife became a new source of inspiration and strength for me. She also knew I was a good writer, and she encouraged me to refocus my efforts on that talent.
I didn’t realize it, but I had been using that talent all my life. I've been creating content, developing messaging, drafting press releases, writing case studies, and designing meaningful digital experiences for employers for decades. My wife said, “You’ve developed content for everyone else . . . Why don’t you do it for yourself this time?" She was right. So I decided to develop and build my own website to showcase my 25+ years of experience developing those types of marketing assets for others.
What you are seeing now on this website is the culmination of 25 years of experience in copywriting and content development. On this site, you will also find samples of past works that I developed with previous employers spanning over 2 decades. Check out "My Portfolio" page as well as "My Creative Side" page for more info.
Thank You For Reading My Story
Thank you, Mom, for
leading me to a meaningful, purposeful,
and honorable life! Thanks
for always
being there for me! Thanks
for everything
you did for me!
I love you
and miss you!
The Two Majesties (Les Deux Majestés) by Jean-Léon Gérôme 1883
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The painting above that I shared with you earlier at the beginning of this story of the lion overlooking the ocean has now evolved into a new representation for me. It represents a seasoned professional reflecting over the next steps in the ocean of his life. As I look over the ocean, which is the history of my career, I begin a new chapter, moving forward with a NEW EXCITEMENT and a NEW ENTHUSIASM. I am FREE now to pursue my LOVE OF WRITING.
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TO RETURN TO
HOME PAGE MENU
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Photo of my Mother, Kathy, at Age 30
What was my mother’s legacy?
Her Legacy was Me. She brought me into the world. She was my first teacher. And her lessons guided me through life to where I am today. She gave me my ROOTS and my WINGS. She gave me the WIND in my SAILS. She showered me with both love and wisdom. She instilled within me the ability to know right from wrong and provided me with a moral compass that still guides me to this day. Out of all the accomplishments I achieved in life, my single highest honor was simply being her son. I thank providence every day that it chose her to be my mother. I will forever be grateful for her dedication to being my mother.
My Mother's Last Gift To Me
At the end of 2023 (8 months following my mother's passing), I discovered that my mother had indeed left behind one last gift for me that I would discover on my 56th Birthday. It would be the most precious GIFT that I would ever receive from her. And that would be my own realization of my TRUE IDENTITY as a LION.