Tom Lemke:  

For a farm-boy from Wausau, my life has been an adventure that I could never have imagined. After I graduated high school, I went to college at Whitewater and graduated with a BBA-Marketing. My original plans were to come back to Wausau, but my life didn't quite work that way. I took a job in Chicago , then moved to New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, Detroit and then to Australia for 5 years. My work has taken me to over 30 countries, including Russia and China, which were countries that I always thought would be interesting to visit someday... and they were. While they try to be "Western", they still are socialist countries and their people don't have a lifestyle like we do. In China, a refrigerator would be a luxury to have. In India, millions of people live under a "blue tarp", that we would buy at Home Depot for $10. Sadly, that's their home. We are so blessed in this country. I wish people would realize that and be grateful instead of complaining.. There is so much beauty in the world, both natural beauty and beautiful people. As a marketing person, I truly enjoyed learning about people and cultures. I loved Australia and would go back there anytime. The people are wonderful and the scenery is spectacular! I also have been blessed with three wonderful children. They live in Texas, Hawaii and Michigan. So I still get to travel to see them as I now travel around the US in my motorhome (other than my daughter in Hawaii, unless I can figure out how to put a propeller on the motorhome). Career-wise, I've loved marketing and am happy I chose that path. I worked for large corporations including Kmart and Coles Myer in Australia, where I was Chief Marketing Officer. I'm sort of a cowboy at heart, and have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, which led founding an advertising and marketing agency along the way. I can't say that I've ever been bored. Spiritually, God has truly blessed me and I am humbled and grateful.. In 2017, after I returned from to the US from an assignment in Brazil, I ended up with severe back pains and found out that I had sepsis. I underwent emergency surgery, was on a ventilator and in a coma for eight days, then intensive care for another 3 weeks and in the rehab hospital for another 3 months. I was blessed to be alive as the survival rate for my condition is about 30%. I had to ...Expand for more