What would your occupation be if you had followed your childhood dreams?

This month Good News Wants to Know… What would your occupation be if you had followed your childhood dreams?

Fidel Gomez

My childhood dream was to play Major League Baseball. I tried out for the Kansas City Royals and thought that they would be my team, but Kansas City just didn’t see it my way. By now I would be a washed up third baseman since I’m 68 years old. However, I can still throw a baseball, more like, “lob” a baseball. 

Fidel Gomez, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Hollywood

William “Bill” C. Davell

As a child I wanted to become a machinist and work in a tool shop like my dad. This later evolved into studying aerospace engineering. How did I end up a lawyer?  That’s the “rest” of the story!   

William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott Attorneys at Law

Bob Denison

I would’ve been an astronaut. When I was 11 I went to Space Camp. It was supposed to give me an edge. Found out later you needed to be brave. And also smart.

Whatever, NASA.

Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting

Char Talmadge

Fascinated by antiquities in middle school, I began studies in Latin and Greek early in high school and then graduated with a Degree in Ancient Studies-Archaeology. My heart was to get my Masters in Museum Studies and secure a  position as a Museum Curator.

Char Talmadge, Director, Rescue Upstream

Chip LaMarca

Had I followed my childhood dreams, I would have been in one of two places: touring and playing drums in a rock and roll band or spending long hours in an automotive design studio creating the next great American sports car.

Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 93

H. Collins Forman, Jr., Esquire

I would have liked to have been a pirate, an explorer or an archeologist. Adventure is out there, and I would want to be in it.

H. Collins Forman, Jr., Esquire

Major Connie Long

Exactly what I am doing now – a Proclaimer of the Gospel as a Salvation Army Officer (minister) loving God and Loving People. This has been my desire and calling by God since I was 5yrs old.

Major Connie Long, The Salvation Army

Deborah Cusick

My childhood dream was to be an astronaut or a dolphin trainer. The astronaut vision was squelched when I was told girls weren’t allow to do that, and the closest I came to the Sea World dolphin trainer was to get to swim with them. 

Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

Dr. Debra A. Schwinn

Violinist. In high school I never applied to university, only to conservatories to study violin. A last minute conversation with my father changed my mind, and I applied in March of my senior year to a small liberal arts college with a wonderful chemistry department, my other academic love. I satisfied my musical “itch” by teaching professor’s children violin for pizza/book money.

Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, President, Professor of Health Sciences, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Dennis DeMarois

My childhood dreams were to be a litigation attorney. My first year of school I was “called” and abruptly changed my career to pursue pastoral work and have not looked back. Grateful for His faithfulness to me and my family… it continues to be awesome!

Dennis DeMarois, CEO/Executive Director, Gathering Palm Beach

Don Campion

I love all things mechanical so from a very young age, I wanted to be a mechanic, electrician, plumber and builder. I still think it’s sometimes better to be a “jack of all trades” instead of master of one.

Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service

Doug Sauder

Professional Soccer Player

Doug Sauder, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

Fred Scarbrough

I always wanted to be a coach. I love sports and growing up I would not have cared which sport I would be coaching because I love them all. That works well in a small town like the one I grew up in because most coaches coached more than one sport anyway!

Fred Scarbrough, DVM, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and Hope South Florida

Gene L. Green, PhD

I had no dreams! As a kid and through my teen years I bounced from this to that into that other thing then ‘round to something else. Dylan sang about it: “With no direction home, Like a complete unknown, Like a rolling stone.” Enter Jesus who snatched me out of aimless, and sometimes destructive wanderings and put my feet on his all-weather, well-marked road. He called me to teach the gospel, the story of God’s redemption. No regrets or looking back for well over four decades.   

  Gene L. Green, PhD, Dean, Trinity International University – Florida

Gregg Wallick

If I had followed my childhood dreams, my occupation would have been a professional football player then a coach after my playing days were over.  But, as fate would have it, I became a roofing contractor and life has been very good to me ever since.

Gregg Wallick, President, Best Roofing, Inc.

Helen Wayner P.A.

My childhood dream was to be a singer and dancer. I was trained for many years for both plus twelve years of piano. I knew Broadway was waiting for me!! Then life happened. Marriage, children, work and for the past 26 years a business owner. However, I had the privilege of singing with a worship band for many years! 

God knew my heart and I wouldn’t change a thing!!!”

Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty 

I am blessed to be involved in the exact business I enjoy most. Wouldn’t change a thing. Praise God!

James ‘JT’ Taylor

James ‘JT’ Taylor, Managing Director, Head of Automotive, Truist Securities

Joyce Feldman

I had a couple of “childhood dream” professions, and ironically, have followed both paths simultaneously in some form or fashion throughout my adult career path. (#1) Commercial Artist/Advertising Director (aka graphic designer/creative director) which led to working professionally in the field of advertising/marketing/publishing… and (#2) A Dancer in the early 80’s TV series “Fame” and others, which led to a love of fitness, health and wellness.

  Joyce Feldman, President, BiG Children’s Foundation

Larry N. Rein

My boyhood heroes, after my father and Mickey Mantle, were Sigmund Freud and B.F. Skinner and I always wanted to be a psychologist. However, after substantial training in the field it turned out that my dream profession was not an especially good fit for me, or my patients. I am much better working with psychologists than actually being one.

Larry N. Rein, President/CEO, ChildNet, Inc.

Laura C. Bishop

I would be the owner of a gift shop — the name of the shop would be, “Sue’s Gift Shop.” I have no idea who Sue is, but that’s what I wanted to name it. 

Laura C. Bishop, Executive VP of Advancement, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Dr. Mary Drabik

If I had followed my childhood dreams, I would be a Commercial Artist today as a graduate of the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. I received Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in my early twenties. God certainly turned my life around!

Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary

Dr. Michael Rozenblum

Most children want to grow up to be police or firemen. Others want to be teachers or doctors or lawyers or scientist. However, the thing I enjoyed most as a kid was to make others laugh. Even from a very young age, I remember standing in the center of the living room telling jokes or doing impressions and feeling so happy to make others happy. In all my professional endeavors, whether in ministry, seeing patients or consulting for clients, I always look for “a better way.” One thing is certain, more laughter and more joy is by far the best way!

Dr. Michael Rozenblum, Genesis Physical Medicine and Chiropractic

Milan Stefanovic

As a young boy, I loved sports and played all of them. My favorite was basketball. So naturally my childhood dream was to play in the NBA. Obviously my dreams changed, especially as I never quite hit the necessary height requirements.

Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operations Officer, Bass Underwriters

Nancy Robin

On occupation – I have always been all over the place never have had one heart’s desire. But at the end of the day I was captured by business and have been very blessed that my work in both the private sector and now independent sector have been in positions running businesses that ultimately serve and help others. The work is and always has been a passion to me.

Nancy Robin, CEO/Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Broward County, Inc.

Oksana Horton

I did follow my childhood dreams by becoming the artistic director of a performing arts group. It started at the age of ten when I would round up the children in the neighborhood and we would do shows for anyone who would watch. At the age of 12, I took over as director of a folk dancing group I was part of due to the director departing suddenly. In this capacity I directed a theater/dance group that performed at venues throughout Cleveland, Ohio. It was at one of these events that I received a scholarship that ultimately landed me performing in theaters in Boston, LA, and New York. I eventually left the arts for a period of time but then returned – this time with a commitment to use the performing arts to share the Gospel. There has been no greater joy for me than to see the Gospel advanced through the performing arts.

Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Torch and Trumpet Theater Company

O’Neal Dozier

My childhood dream was to become a lawyer, which I became by earning my Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (J.D.) from John Marshall Law School, but subsequently, Christ Jesus changed my occupation to pastoring His church, The Worldwide Christian Center Church.

O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center

Patricia Colangelo, EdS

As a child, I had many things that I wanted to accomplish. I really thought that I would be a teacher, although I first attended nursing school as my mother and grandmother did. I also had a desire to work with underserved populations as my grandmother did. God in his infinite wisdom has led me to teach at a private Christian university with the primarily underserved population. Most of our students never dreamed they could obtain a higher education degree. In each and every one of them, it appears to be their catalyst to accomplish amazing things and we who teach them are merely a thread in the tapestry of their life.

Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Lecturer, Professor, Trinity International University – Florida

Coach Rick Andreassen

Ever since I was a kid I always felt someway – somehow I was going to work with children… I thought maybe I would run an orphanage… (there are 11 kids in my family… My older siblings were always so good to me… I guess I wanted to pass that on). I have to say, it’s as if all of my childhood dreams have come true. God is amazing!!!!

Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder/President, SAINTS International Sports Ministry and SAINTS Homeschool P.E.

Robin Martin

If I followed my childhood dreams I would be playing in the MLB. Of course, I would have been one of the shortest players in history. 

Robin Martin, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Broward

Romney C. Rogers

I come from a long line of attorneys. My grandfather who founded the law firm, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler, my dad who I got to practice with and two of my uncles who also gave me inspiration to pursue a career in law. I feel fortunate that I made a decision early on in life to pick a profession where I could help people and businesses to attend to their needs or help solve their problems. It kept me focused in pursuing my education and has had great career satisfaction along the way. So other than an NFL quarterback, which I figured out early on in my athletic pursuits wasn’t going to happen, the law was my only calling. 

Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP

Dr. Rosby Glover

If I had followed my childhood dreams, I would have been a dentist. Unfortunately, I could not perform the tasks necessary to show my adeptness to that particular professional. So, instead of saving teeth, I’m saving souls! God is good.

Dr. Rosby Glover, Executive Director, Mount Bethel Human Services Corp – Prevention Central

Samuel Lamerson, PhD

My father was a Baptist pastor. When I was about eight or nine years old, a traveling evangelist came to our church. After the “mandatory” church supper, my dad asked me to show the guest speaker to the church (a short walk). As we were walking the evangelist said to me, “Are you the pastor here?” I, with great hubris answered, “not yet.” Later I became pastor there and continued until I left to pursue my Ph.D.

Samuel Lamerson, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies, Knox Theological Seminary

Sue Trombino

To be housewife, mother and to make a difference in our world

Sue Trombino, Founder, Women Impacting the Nation

Tewannah Aman

Well, when I was younger, I was a huge fan of the Sonny and Cher show. I dreamed of one day having a show of my own. I even created my own segments.  I’d get all dressed up, grab my hairbrush, climb up my little step ladder and belt out, “I got you babe.” I’m so thankful that the Lord had other intentions for my life. And that even though I had all these crazy hopes and dreams, His Hand brought me to where I am, in service to the King. 

Tewannah Aman, Executive Director, Broward County Right to Life

Tina Rains, RN

I would have been a lawyer if I had followed my childhood dream. I may have also been a flight attendant. I love speaking up for others and traveling the world. 

Tina Rains, RN, Professional Coach, Consultant, Keynote Speaker

Dr. Warren A. Gage, Th.M., J.D., Ph.D.

I wanted to be an Egyptologist – a fascination since age 6 that has become a lifetime avocation.

Dr. Warren A. Gage, Th.M., J.D., Ph.D., President, The Alexandrian Forum

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