Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife and I have no children, so work has sort of become our child. We enjoy decorating and remodeling our home, weekend getaways, and just hanging out enjoying each other’s company.

Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
I wear many hats at Bluemel’s Garden & Landscape Center. But that’s what I love about working for a family owned, independent business- there is always opportunity to try new things and take on more responsibilities. Mainly, I oversee our retail operation- greenhouses, bulk materials, & coffee shop, as well as some of the higher profile properties we manage such as Downtown Greendale and Margie’s Garden– located in Whitnall Park. I also design and manage our company’s website, merchandise, and marketing pieces. Aside from that I proudly represent Bluemel’s by serving on the Commercial Growers of Wisconsin Board of Directors. In the last twenty-something years, I can probably count on one hand how many days I have dreaded coming to work. I love what I do, who I work with, and who I work for. Owners Mike & Lori Bluemel have treated my wife and I very well through the years.

Q: Please tell us about any volunteering that you have done or currently do.
I volunteer to help with various activities at my church.

Q: Please tell us about any interesting or unique hobbies that you have?
I love the outdoors and have gone on backpacking trips in the back country with friends every year for the last 7 years. I’ve backpacked at Glacier National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Yellowstone National Park just to name a few. I also started a Podcast for fun with a couple of friends called “The Roundabout Podcast”.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Greendale? What do you love there?
I really like the vibe and changing menu at Dia y Noche and Joey Gerard’s has also been a favorite. The throw-back supper club atmosphere there is pretty cool. Being in retail, I understand the importance of offering an experience, and I think both of these places knock it out of the park.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Greendale?
I guess you could say that I’ve had some sort of connection to Greendale ever since I began working at Bluemel’s, although interestingly enough- I worked at Reiman Publications before working at Bluemel’s for a short period of time, so you could say my connection dates back to 1997. I naturally became more engaged and involved in the Greendale Community once Bluemel’s was hired by Grandhaven to maintain the downtown shopping center- that’s not to mention how many people I got to know from Greendale working for Bluemel’s. I was pleasantly surprised to find out how many of our customers actually lived in Greendale once we started routinely working downtown. I also served on the Greendale Chamber of Commerce board for a few years, which I really enjoyed because it offered me many opportunities to work closely with other Greendale business leaders and officials. I learned so much from that experience.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Greendale?
I’d have to say Roy Reiman. He is one of the few people I have ever met that I learn something from every time I have a conversation with him. He has so much business experience and savviness that I really admire. I love hearing the many stories from his experiences. Al Emmons also comes to mind as he is also a very fascinating and interesting person to me.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I think it would be fun to visit some of the European countries like Germany, Italy, Poland, Ireland… those countries have always held a bit of mystique and have intrigued me. I don’t like flying though, so I’d really have to work up enough courage to fly there.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I am a huge fan of true crime shows like Dateline, 20/20, The First 48. I love documentaries and movies based on real-life stories and have always enjoyed comedies.

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Treat others how you want to be treated and remember that you never know what a person is going through. So always try to be compassionate.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I really don’t have a bucket list. I just want to live a happy, healthy, loving life!

Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I definitely have an eclectic taste for music. I love listening to all genres from country, to classical, to jazz. I would say my favorite bands are the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. I have always been a huge fan of Elvis Presley, and have a special place in my heart for the 80s! I tend to listen to whatever fits my mood at the moment.

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Greendale?
Southridge Mall conjures up a bunch of memories for me as kid when my friends and I used to hang out there and then go to the food court.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I think it would be cool to meet Brett Favre. He was a hero of mine growing up and I know he has faced lots of adversity. It would be interesting to hear how he overcame that. He seems like he’d be a Panther Pub kind of guy so I would meet him there. Hopefully he’d pick up the tab – ha!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Greendale?
I’m impressed with how close-knit of a community Greendale is. I really don’t know of any other city that has the same type of closeness and camaraderie that Greendale does. It sure is something to marvel at.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully I’m still doing my thing at Bluemel’s.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m not super proud of this, but I can be an extremely obsessive person. Once I put my mind on something it’s hard to take it off. This trait has often benefitted me in life, but it has also had a negative affect on me at times as well.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I’m one of those people that find beauty anywhere in nature whether it’s walking through Whitnall Park or standing at the top of Cloud’s Rest at Yosemite National Park, but as far as the most beautiful, I’d have to say Glacier National Park is pretty hard to beat.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is June because it’s the beginning of summer. My favorite holiday is Christmas. The best single day on the calendar for me is any Saturday.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Maria’s Pizza, The American Club, Greendale Chiropractic, and of course Bluemel’s!

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife is constantly encouraging and challenging me, but I’m also blessed to have a great support group of family and friends.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Here’s 5: Bonfires, pine trees, fall leaves, fresh cut grass, and fresh ground coffee.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, comfort, and safety.