Gratitude can be defined, expressed and experienced in several ways. Enjoying a sense of belonging. Being blessed by God, family and friends. Benefiting and becoming wiser from one’s own experiences commands gratefulness as well.

I was drawn to The Thanks-Giving Foundation because it was a leading advocate for encouraging gratitude and respect among all people, regardless of their religion, race or ethnicity. The Foundation provides Dallas residents and visitors with a destination — Thanks-Giving Square — to further experience life’s enrichment.

I find continued enrichment and inspiration by supporting others, which is why I’ve dedicated much of my life to community service, diversity and inclusion, jazz music, cultural arts, and support for education. I was honored to teach as an adjunct professor in Public Relations Management at Southern Methodist University. I’m proud to have been a board member of the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education, Tolerance and Human Rights; SMU’s Perkins School of Theology; SMU’s Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Division; the College of Music at University of North Texas; the Jewish Family Service Foundation; and the Texas Trees Foundation.

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Michigan. After I graduated, I served in the United States Army for two years. While stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, I attended night classes at the Graduate School of American University to advance my education in journalism and marketing communications.

In 1962, I married my devoted wife and business partner Barbara, and together we established an integrated advertising and public relations agency that served clients for more than five decades. We’re most proud of being blessed with two gifted daughters, a devoted son-in-law and six grandsons, three of whom are already college graduates.