Michael Messler
After high school graduation, I attended Northeastern in Boston for business. After a few months and a 1.0 average, I decided to take all 4 credits from 1st semester and go to West Virginia for Pre-Vet. Dating a girl from PA who was going to Ohio for equestrian studies had something to do with it. Breaking up 2 weeks before I left for Morgantown made me realize the decision was more hormonal than common sense.
First semester was ok. Second one was bad and the 3rd, living over a bar, and next to some coal miners with ample supply of “shine” delivered me a .0786 GPA, and a WVU request not to come back. Went to Ramapo College for a year to regroup, and then finally a Business degree in International economics from Boston University. Good country. After graduation spent 5 weeks in Europe with Peter Allen. From Amsterdam, lots of beer, to Denmark then we hooked up with his old squeeze in Sweden.
Played 3rd wheel for 3 weeks then after Peter went home I continued on solo for 5 more weeks to Italy & Greece. Greek islands were great although olive oil gives you pimples, everywhere. Ended with a 3 day wild bus ride from Athens to London and finally home to NJ.
After some painting jobs, took an inventory control job with Sandvik Steel in Scranton PA. Lasted 10 months and they notified me I had to be laid off, or move to Benton Harbor MI. So after I accepted the pink slip I went back to painting. Built the business into full line of renovations. During the winter I would work in the warehouse of a family ski distribution business. Beats freezing your ass off outside.
As the years passed by, the ski business grew, the family one by one moved to Florida and I bought the company.
Got married in 1992 to Joanne and moved to Ho Ho Kus. Had two kids, Lauren is now 10 and Christopher is 8. Since 1992 life has been filled with renovating the house, raising 2 kids and perfecting the meaning of “compromise”. Every chance possible we still go to the farm in PA although now with 2 kids, the itinerary is a little different than it was back in 80’s, for those of you who remember the parties. Names being withheld until after the elections. Sorry about any “flashbacks” or permanent scars.
We enjoy skiing, boarding, camping, driving 4 wheelers & tractors, no cars until their 12, and the kids are beginners at fly fishing and a little hunting. My son’s favorite color is “camo”, and my daughter’s favorite makeup is mud.
I still go to New Brunswick Canada to our log cabin twice a year to fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon. We fish all day and then feed the mice at night.
I’m now fully involved in importing skis, snowboards, and snowshoes and distributing throughout the US. I go to China once a year to meet all the factories, traveling the east coast of the country from Dong Guang to Weihai. I don’t recommend the food, water or the air, but the people are very friendly. Reminds me of New Jersey.
That’s all folks.