Describe what you do in fewer than 20 words.
I’m responsible for developing a full line of consumables for franking machines.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Digging (by hand) foundation footings for commercial property construction by day and treating the blisters by night.
The industry figure you most admire?
Hands down, it’s CEO of Clover Jim Cerkleski. Entrepreneurial, genial, caring and scarily smart. It’s an honour to work for him.
The best moment in your career?
Collaborating on the design, then manufacturing and shipping, the first consumer subwoofer.
The worst moment in your career?
Not patenting it (see above)!
Your most embarrassing industry-related experience?
Going to lunch with a bunch of ISA folks at their “special” place, only to find my business card pinned to the walls for the entertainment of the clientele. What’s so funny in the UK with the name Randy Hooker? I seriously don’t get it!
The most influential company in the OP industry?
HP. Is there a bigger gorilla in the jungle?
The most memorable travel experience you’ve had while in the OP industry?
Flying from Washington DC to Frankfurt, for Paperworld, directly after 9/11. It was a DC-10 with 12 crew on board and a total passenger count of eight. We partied in first class for the duration.
Your favourite office product?
The electric stapler – I waste hours amusing myself with this little device. It doesn’t take much to amuse me!
What do you like best about the OP industry?
The best of the independent dealers. They are an inspiring population of risk takers, learners, adapters and professionals. I am always happy in their company.
If you could invite two famous people for dinner, who would they be?
Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, basking in the glow of the greatest poets of my generation and sharing our gripes about how our dreams for the world turned out.
Your childhood ambitions?
To be a Beatle. So that dates me, doesn’t it? But wouldn’t it have been a blast!
What do you begrudge spending money on?
OEM ink cartridges and toners. Back waxing sessions.
Have you ever done anything dangerous or daring?
At my age, getting out of bed each day would qualify. However, while climbing in my youth I was stuck on an unstable rock face for two hours before getting winched off. Looking back, this is as close to death as I have ever come.
If you had one day to live, what would you do?
Spend it with the people I love and who love me in return. And only eat delicious things that are bad for you. “Please pass some more of that prosciutto-wrapped chocolate and bacon truffle over, will you?… Yes, of course I’ll have it with raspberry caramel whipped cream…Now, who’s pinched the port?”
