I can’t begin to tell you how much I learned in the first few years of development work. In my first year, we had planned 13 mass-market event fundraisers. The development manager left two months before half of the events took place.

Part of my childhood I lived in Houston. We were there in 1983 when Hurricane Alicia hit the city hard, spawning some of the worst hurricane-related tornados. In fact, I am pretty sure that a tornado spun right down our driveway.

I just returned from a family trip to the ocean. We took a chance with hurricane Irma moving North, but we were fortunate and only experienced rain and wind for a couple of days.

Another scholarship season and another year where I get so much more, than the few hours I give reviewing applications for the Robert Franklin Black Scholarship.

It is that time of year where it appears everyone is filling backpacks with supplies for another school year.

Our family has officially kicked off fall soccer, and once again my little man has a desire to play goalie. At practice last week, one of the coaches stayed in goal with my son to give tips as they were working through drills.

One of my favorite things to do as a consultant is to train board members, campaign cabinets, and staff on the Art of the Ask. It is important that board members, and other councils and committees, are comfortable soliciting gifts.

“The more I live, the more I learn.

We recently completed our 11th season of summer swim team. The final one for Devin as a swimmer, and his first year as a coach.As a family, we have always enjoyed swim team.