Started business from an idea, provided financing all entrepreneurial functions. Small business with three general partners and four to eight volunteer employees. Flagship publication: SOUTHERN NEVADA SHOWLINER, A Playbill of the Arts. Published twelve book titles in a variety of subjects. The business was profitable within two years. Completed an orderly shut down of the business after the editor & general partner suffered a debilitating illness.

Business attempt in computer presentation technology. Developed custom and generic slide show presentation templates using Harvard Graphics software. Lack of sales and technological change reduced long-term viability so the Articles of Incorporation were not re-registered and business became defunct.

Rescued a small furniture manufacturing company from bankruptcy filing. Renegotiated debt and accounts payable to bring the business to a stable financial position before leaving. Established a computerized accounting system with job cost based management information. Prepared a business plan and the financing prospectus for establishing a product line of specialized furniture finishes. Left this organization to accept the position as Coordinator of MIS Labs in the College of Business at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Sales organization for promoting the use of alcohol testing devices on motor vehicles. Developed business plan, pro-forma financial statements, and financing prospectus. Left the organization because of under-capitalization, $15,000 in unpaid salary and no prospects of the principals achieving success.

I created 1300 bit mapped graphic files in both .TIF and .IMG formats for desktop publishing. Sold strictly through direct mail catalogs. After the initial file development, the operation became a profitable part time function of mailing catalogs and filling orders. Additional clip art files were not created, and industry competition finally reduced sales to a point of break-even at which point I ceased marketing the product.

Part-time job position of supervising crews of inventory specialists contracted to value retail businesses in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California. Job functions included supervision, transportation, food and lodging logistics. Several awards achieved for productivity and quality both for personal and crew functions. I left this position to pursue full-time graduate studies with a part-time teaching assistantship at UNLV.

Direct (door to door) sales of cable TV services. Summer desert heat and a 3 piece suit do not mix, quit after 2 months.

Part-time direct sales of footware. Specializing in safety gear for industrial locations.

Part-time facilities maintenance for automotive recycling. The operation provided a new concept for "junk yard operations" through disassembly, refurbishing, storage, and network data base inventory of used automotive components. Assisted with inspiration of an article and specific business mention in Inc. Magazine.

One semester as an adjunct instructor teaching a 4 credit hour class in Basic Electricity and Electronics solely for the purpose of renewing my Nevada Teaching Certification until 1988 (at which time I let it lapse).

Combined SW Enterprises (electrical system manufacturing) and Customs by Peter Schell (furniture manufacturing) into one organization: Floor to Ceiling Wall Systems Inc. Operations included a 6000 sq ft retail outlet and 13,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. The primary product of manufacture and sale was a flexible, modular construction of cabinetry that included built-in electrical and electronic consumer products. This organization was the culmination of six years research and co-development by the two companies.

A majority of the capital equipment for manufacturing was leased by the company from Peter Schell, the president. His personal bankruptcy forced liquidation of those assets at a point when the company did not have sufficient funds to replace them. An orderly dissolution of the organization was conducted.

Part-time, 25 – 30 hours per week training slot mechanics and floor personnel for work in the gaming industry.

Manager of business and organizational operations. Began as a skilled laborer developing the manufacturing facilities and assumed general management responsibilities for business operations in 1977. 13,000 sq ft manufacturing/showroom facilities employing between four to eight persons in a job-shop environment. Primary products in manufacture included slot machine cabinets for the gaming industry, custom manufacture of gaming carousels, and modular wall system furniture. Incorporated as Floor to Ceiling Wall Systems Inc. to concentrate on the manufacture and sale of modular wall system furniture in 1982.

Electrical Systems Manufacturing from 1977 – 1982, then incorporated into Floor to Ceiling Wall Systems Inc.. Primary product/service involved custom design and manufacture of electrical systems for manufacturers. (Note: Floor to Ceiling Wall Systems and Customs by Peter Schell in prior history.)

S.W. Enterprises reinstated in 1983 as a Small Business Consultation service. Primary services provided in past contracts include Policy and Strategy formulation, Business Plan and Financing Prospectus development, Information System Analysis and Design.

Part-time instructor concerning the regulation, management, and repair of electro-mechanical /electronic gaming devices (slot machines). In March 1976, I enrolled as a student and completed the primary 13 week slot machine course in twenty days (an unbroken record for shortest completion time). Without any prior training in the secondary 13 week pinball machine course, I was assigned to tutor an inexperienced student and completed his training for repair of those devices within six weeks. After eight months experience at the Royal Inn Casino, the school hired me as an instructor.

Part-time graveyard shift manager. Not continuous employment, but rather a fill-in for 2 – 6 month periods when other obligations permitted.

Part-time graveyard shift manager. Not continuous employment, but rather a fill-in for 2 – 6 month periods when other obligations permitted.

Upon completion of the Nevada Gaming School slot machine course in a record setting time period, I was placed here as a slot department floorman and mechanic. Responsibilities included management of two – four change/cashier persons, maintenance & repair of 220 slot machines, customer relations and payment of jackpots. When laid-off in December during the traditional slow period of the casino, other steady employment (Customs by Peter Schell) forestalled a return.

No regular employment during this period resulting from a 55% unemployment rate caused by the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo affect on manufacturing in the local geographic area. As a "gentleman farmer" with no equipment, the return from leasing the property to Del Monte for crops was insufficient to cover expenses. Returns from self-employment work were scarce, and when the 53 week limit of unemployment benefits dried up, I packed what could be carried in the trunk and back seat of my car and headed west. Upon reaching Las Vegas, my assets consisted of: 1969 Ford with a burned out alternator, one-quarter tank of gas, 27 cents in cash, the personal possessions in my car, and a letter of introduction to a friend of a friend (who had moved to Alaska a couple months prior).

Part-time host and cashier to fill in when there were personnel shortages.

Starting from blueprints and schematic diagrams, build automated machinery (robots) and assembly lines for various manufacturers. Apart from the standard industrial electrical/electronic controls and applications, some of the specialized technological equipment incorporated in these machines included: Laser beam measurement devices, vacuum chamber testing, programmable controllers, opto-electronic interfaces, and PDP industrial computers. Laid off in December due to a dramatic drop in machine tool orders.

First business  venture providing personal services.

Manufacturing plant maintenance with a specialization in retrofit of facilities (originally built in 1893) to conform with OSHA regulations.

Federally sponsored program for retraining of unemployed Vietnam Era vets for return to the labor force. Left after 3 months to pursue higher education at Southern Illinois University.

Stationed aboard USS Chicago – CG11, a guided missile cruiser and flagship of the WESTPAC fleet during the Vietnam conflict.

Managed steakhouse operations for a Greek immigrant owner who knew only two words of English: HI and NO. Left employment to enlist in US Navy.

Night manager for drive-in and dining center operations. The restaurant chain was similar to a combination of BigBoy restaurants with Sonic drive-ins attached. Left to accept a manager’s position.

Head Chef in a pilot operation of Beatrice Foods Inc. Research and development of pre-packaged entrees for commercial delivery. Primary product developed was a line of pre-cooked, frozen in a plastic bag entrées which required 8 minute heating in boiling water for delivery to a customer.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Beatrice Foods Inc., this operation consisted of an Original Pancake House franchise, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. The pancake house provided basic operational funds for the KFC pilot operation and franchise sales in the rear of the building. After successfully completing the KFC pilot, I assisted in converting the facilities to a restaurant/lounge for a new pilot operation, Chef Aristo Foods, and was promoted to Head Chef.

Neighborhood Grocery store operation, where I worked part-time on weekends and after school.

Summer employment with my Uncle’s construction company. The company’s specialty was custom masonry, but also included general contracting.

At the age of 9 years, I began selling papers on Sunday mornings. In the beginning, my father and I sold 50 papers in the first few weeks. When I left for employment at Broadway Certified Foods three years later, the whole family was distributing over 2000 Sunday papers each week.