My name is Gary and I grew up in a small town in northwest New Jersey. My lineage includes dairy farmers, painters and bakers. My young life was similar to stories of Huck Finn because every day that I was not in school was an adventure waiting to happen. I lived near rivers, small mountains and railroad tracks that offered endless possibilities to create an imaginary life as an adventurer. I learned to love nature through these adventures and am an avid biker and hiker as a result.
In high school I wanted to teach and write, but my guidance counselor dissuaded me and suggested marketing. I started working at age 11 and had an entrepreneurial spirit so I heeded his advice, attended college, and started my own business in my early twenties. After selling it a decade later, I worked in Sales and Marketing Management for Mars Inc. but never lost my love of writing and teaching.
I continued my education while working, and five years ago after early retiring from Mars I began teaching marketing part-time at UT and then USF. Two years ago I was offered a full-time position as an instructor at UT and absolutely love it.
I take one course every semester so I can learn new things to share with my students that will help them in their careers. Most of my students will enter the marketing field as digital marketers, and I felt a deficit on the creative side and hope that FMX 210 will help me better understand the creative process and what my students need to know about it.
One of my hobbies is building modern farm style furniture and it gives me great satisfaction to take raw wood and turn it into something beautiful. Though I am a highly creative thinker and writer, I do not consider myself an artistic person; but am willing to open my mind to the idea of becoming one as a result of this class.
