Keith Kirkpatrick's Bio (Fun)

There are two sides to almost everything, and people are no different.  Everyone presents a formal biography, profile, or resume.  My professional side was on the bio (serious) tab.  Here is my fun one. 

As John Cougar Mellencamp said “I was born in a small town”, me too. My childhood was filled with buddies who loved to play outside and explore.  Our neighbors watched out for us and reported to our parents everything we did wrong.  There were people you knew and others you knew about.

Everyone was friendly and gave the “head nod” greeting when you passed each other in any form of transportation.  There was so much adventure, a thousand stories, and consistent feelings of comfort, safety, and familiarity. 

John Mellencamp continued his song with a near perfect statement of my life.

Educated in a small town
Taught the fear of Jesus in a small town
Used to daydream in that small town
Another boring romantic that’s me

. . .I’ve seen it all in a small town
Had myself a ball in a small town

 When I left home and went to college, I was often asked, “where’re you from?”  I would proudly say, “Sesser, Illinois”.  My newly found friends from the north end of the state would respond, “Cesspool Illinois, where’s that?”  Being from a small town, you are taught to have great pride in your little village.  I would repeat my answer and add “it’s in Southern Illinois”.

Laughter would erupt informing me of how geographically challenged these urban dwellers were, since they had no idea the south end of Illinois was below Interstate 70 and as deep south as Richmond, Virginia.  They were also clueless about the population levels of small towns beginning with places having 20-50 residents and progressing eight or nine levels to cities of 12-15,000.  Larger than that, it would be a community classified as a “really big place” with movies theatres, a variety of restaurants, a mall, and something fun to do (which would cost).

I decided to attend a larger university beyond my region and be in a completely different environment.  After a tough start with two difficult roommates, lost feelings, detachment from home, and nearly flunking out after my first semester, I was ready to escape this hell I had placed myself in.  I now realize that I was clinically depressed.  As I tearfully begged my parents to let me transfer, Dad said stick it out one more semester.  I did what our family always does, not quit.

Looking back, I have no idea how it all happened during the next 18 weeks, but I ended up with a great roommate, performed in a musical, became president of my dorm with 850 guys, and was appointed by the university president to be one of two students sitting on the university budget committee.  As a person of faith (albeit pretty weak at that point), I attribute the miracle to God.

My college career was filled with incredible experiences few students have.  My activities and roles were over the top including marching band and men’s glee club.  More is explained in my answer to Question #1 at the beginning of this website.

I wasn’t the greatest student but was recruited into an administrative position at another university before I had graduated.  The next few years included a short-lived marriage, graduate school, living in a trailer home, a new dog, and moving to Chicago where I started my first business.  It’s start up story is on this web site.

My life has been blessed with so many opportunities and I have capitalized on nearly everyone.  My career has been divided into ten-year segments beginning with my “saving the world” period.  Followed by manufacturing, economic development/entrepreneurial education, then leadership development.  In between there was property management, housing renovation, a couple of specialty businesses, and television.  As I stated in the opening of my web site, “my life has been rich and fulfilling.”

For the most part, I have always been the executive director, president, or CEO of any endeavor I was in.  During my 20’s most people I managed were older than me, and I had one of those baby faces. The beard helped a little, but not the longer hair.

I have volunteered in just about every cause imaginable: youth sports, junior achievement, head start, food pantry, chamber of commerce, community foundation, neighborhood association, international trade, scouting, church, workforce development, youth employment, faith-based retreats, campaigns, environment, and the list goes on.

I am extremely proud of my children who make way more money than I ever did,