The "Personal" Side of Dale

As stated on the home page I am a Gemini which means (if you take stock in Astrology) that I have two distinct sides of my personality. This is VERY true. I have a "VERY" professional side and a "VERY" personal side. However, they are both halves of the larger whole that could not co-exist without the other. And, to a large extent they often compliment each other although few will understand unless you get to know both sides.

I have often quoted that "the day we stop learning is the day we are dead" and "if a day goes by that you haven't learned something it wasn't a good day". I am very proud of both my undergraduate degree (Bachelors of Science) in Computer Science from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY and my graduate degree (Masters in Business Administration in Management Information Systems / eCommerce) from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA. Since I received my MBA I have also obtained a significant number of certifications mostly related to my professional career within Information Technology. I also have a significant number of certifications in my current and former hobby.

I am passionate about giving back to the community. I spent 17 years as a volunteer firefighter including 9 years as an EMT-D (first in New York and then in Pennsylvania). Both of my alma maters have scholarships established in my name for young adults who volunteer in their communities. I am also an Ordained Minister through the Universal Life Church and can help people of all faiths in their journey through this roller coaster we call life.

I never know if "running" qualifies as a hobby since it's somewhere between physical fitness, mental relaxation and torture but it's about the only "hobby" I've been consistent with over the last 11 years so it qualifies as my #1 hobby. My other half and I are both trying to learn Pickleball. She is also a Spartan athlete and while I've done 1 Spartan race (the Sprint) we both enjoy staying active and  physically fit.

My family or origin is from Buffalo, New York and we trace our ethnic roots back to Italy (55%) and the UK/Ireland (45%) - according to 23 and Me. I am the youngest of 5 brothers. My other half is Ana "Annie" Valdes (born in Puerto Rico to Cuban parents) and our 2 year old Berniedoodle (Zoe) is our "fur baby". Annie has 2 grown children.

My professional and personal life has taken me far and wide across the United States as well as other global destinations including Ireland, UK, France, Egypt, and Germany. I'll include a mini photo gallery of my travels. Note: some of these pictures date back to 1999/2000 so my apperance may look slightly different than currently. Hey! It was a different time. Ha!

Part of my night time relaxation while my other half is watching TV includes creating cork art (click to see existing work). As we are both self proclaimed "wine and champagne snobs" we collect corks (both wine and champagne) and turn them into art work for ourselves and others. Also available for sale as customized items. Contact me if you're interested.

This page will slowly be developed over time. My first addition to this section will be the raw pictures from our recent nuptials.