A few issues back, our President, Bob Parker, requested that members consider preparing biographies of their background so we could all get to know one another a bit better. He kicked it off with his own biography and asked that if I would go next, so here we go.

By way of background, I am a native Pittsburgher born and raised in Swissvale. I have been married to my wife, Mary Ann, for 45 years; we had four children (Lisa Marie, Joe, Frank and Michael) and have three grand children (Ashley, Cody and Shea). Seems that my family has always been involved in food service. While in the Army, I was a cook. If you were in the chapter back when we met in Swissvale , you may remember the Veltre's pizza shop and our restaurant which were side by side. My family and brothers had the Veltre's restaurant in Oakmont (along Allegheny River Blvd.) and currently operate restaurants in Brentwood, White Oak and Monroeville.

I started my Barbershop career when I joined the Pittsburgh Chapter (Pennsylvania #1 Chapter) back on Dec. 7,1967. I was voted to the Board of Directors in my first year and have served on the board either as a director or an officer for at least 28 years of my 36 years of membership. The offices I held were president (one year), treasurer (several years, I think seven), and program VP several times. Currently I am in my second year as VP of Music and Performance. I have been the Johnny Appleseed District Delegate from our chapter for several years and still hold that position.

I was show chairman at least three times and served on the show committee numerous times. I was also given the task of choosing and booking the guest quartets for our show for several years. I was assistant director under Ron Brooks, Walt Eibeck, Bill McCord and Don Scheetz and served as main director in between each of these others.

Over the years I was presented the following awards from our chapter: Barbershopper of the Year - 1975, inducted into the Hall of Fame - 1976, Barbershopper of the Decade (1970-1980), Unsung Hero Award - 1994 and Service Commendation - 1994.

I have attended 36 International Conventions and have sung in many contests with quartets and choruses. I sang bass in my first quartet immediately after joining the Society, which was "The Pennmen" along with Steve Youngk as tenor, Ralph Youngk (brother) as lead and Jim Wesolowski (West) as bari. I was the original bass in the "Pittsburgh Music Revue" with Leo Stefano as tenor, George Kosak as lead and Ron Brooks as bari.

I must tell you all that the most rewarding part of my barbershop career is the association with the many friends I have made in the Pittsburgh Chapter, all through-out the Pittsburgh area and all over the country. It has truly been a wonderful experience.