Jeffrey R Purtell:  

Following graduation I attended a trade school after which I started a related business. I married in 1974. That same year we moved out of the city. Unfortunately, after 45 years of marriage, we divorced. In 1976 I began a career as a firefighter-paramedic with the Village of Lombard. In 1978 I joined the Addison Fire Department where I stayed until my retirement in 2000. Given the amount of "off" time, I, like most firefighter's, engaged in another profession. I earned an insurance license and specialized in the management of the insurance needs of various fire departments throughout the state. I continue this to this day. Recognizing the importance of firefighter physical fitness, I became an advocate of same, promoting fitness to career firefighter's througout the state of Illinois. For nearly two decades I was fortunate to be able to compete in various sporting events around the world. At age 38 I set a world record for stair climbing, having climbed 32,000 stairs in 4 hours and 31 minutes. My fitness career ended in 2000 when I suffered serious health setbacks. In 1986 I was selected to be the Illinois fire service representative to the World Police & Fire Games, an international organization which promotes fitness, through competition, to professional police and firefighter's throughout the world. Later, under the guidance of former Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger, I founded the Northern Illinois President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. My fitness endeavors have afforded me the opportunity to work with such people as five time Olympian Willye White, Olympian and gold medal marathoner winner, Joan Benoit-Samuelson, Olympic swimming great and Gold Medal winner, Steve Lundquist and several other world famous athletes. I currently serve in the capacity of Director to the Illinois State Crime Commission, the Director of the Northern Illinois Presid...Expand for more