Paul entered Harley in Grade 7 at just 11 years old, commuting each week from Warsaw, nearly 50 miles away. Mondays meant a drive to Geneseo, taking the bus to Harley with Frank Laimbeer P’77, ’79, ’80, ’84 (Math, 1960–1981), and weekdays spent living with close family friends. “I look back now and think, I was just this little kid, out on the road, commuting!”
Paul says. These were early signs of the independence and curiosity that would define him.
From the moment he arrived, Harley felt like family. Paul saw that teachers weren’t just instructors; many had deep, multigenerational connections to the school. His homeroom teacher, Bud Ewell ’40, P’66, ’70, was a prime example. Mr. Ewell was a staple of the community along with his wife, Ruth (Headmaster’s Secretary and Registrar, 1960–80; College Counseling Office, 1980–86), and their children, Peter ’66 and Jay ’70. That sense of interconnectedness left a lasting impression.
Paul credits several Upper School teachers with shaping his experience. Faculty members such as Al Soanes P’86, ’87, GP’11, ’13, ’17, ’27 (Science, 1971–2011), Gail McGuire (Science, 1965–2000), and John Hewey P’76, ’77 (History, 1964–1993) acted as mentors who emphasized curiosity over memorization. They challenged students to think for themselves, helping Paul adopt a lifelong mindset: often, the most important thing isn’t “What are the answers?” but rather, “What are the questions you should be asking?”
Harley became even more meaningful during a major transition. He and his family were planning to move to Lebanon where his father was from, and then, the summer before Grade 11, his father passed away. It was a very difficult time and his mom decided to reenroll him at Harley, a place that was familiar. Paul shared, “I had already said goodbye, but when I came back, it was like I never left.” Surrounded by teachers and classmates who understood his situation, he found both support and purpose. “After that, I threw myself into sports, theater, and academics. I had my best years.”
That sense of belonging gave him something even more powerful: confidence. “The small classes and the relationships with teachers made me feel like my voice mattered,” he says.
After Harley, Paul attended Wesleyan University, where he initially considered following in his father’s footsteps into medicine. But it didn’t take long for him to realize his interests lay elsewhere. Drawn to economics, history, and writing, he shifted his focus and eventually earned his MBA from the University of Michigan.
His career began in global finance, where he spent more than a decade trading currencies and interest rates for major banks. He shared this work was a perfect blend of his interests—economics, math, politics, and global events. Over time, his work evolved into management consulting with firms like PwC and Ernst & Young, helping clients think strategically and navigate complex decisions.
Today, Paul is still embracing new challenges and trying to stay relevant. As a partner in a boutique consulting firm, he’s working at the forefront of artificial intelligence, developing tools that help financial institutions better understand and use their data. “I’m not afraid of it,” he says of Artificial Intelligence. “I think it’s an incredible opportunity. It’s going to create possibilities we haven’t even imagined yet.”
Looking back, Paul sees a clear connection between his Harley experience and the life he’s built. “It’s a place where you’re encouraged to try things,” he says. “You don’t have to be afraid to jump in.” Whether it was joining the chorus on a whim and discovering a talent for singing, stepping onto the stage, or exploring new academic interests, Harley gave him the freedom—and the support—to explore.
That same spirit carried into his family life. Raising his children in Wilmette, Illinois, Paul sought out similar educational environments, from strong public schools to a “Harley-like” independent school experience. Today, his three children—Lydia, George and Charlotte—are pursuing careers in business, therapy, and the arts, and charting their own paths confidently.
He also stays very active. A lifelong lover of theater, sparked by his time on stage at Harley, he has remained involved in community productions and continues to seek out creative opportunities. He’s deeply engaged in environmental efforts as well, including conservation work around Silver Lake, New York, where his family has a summer home, preservation projects along Lake Michigan, and as member of the grounds committee in his Florida homeowners association. He’s also an avid golfer.
Beyond his own pursuits, he has been helping his partner, Dana Green, launch her own business, FastStamp Notary, providing mobile notary services and LiveScan digital fingerprinting. They share an active and adventurous life together and are looking ahead to travels in Italy and Hawaii, where they look forward to spoiling Paul’s two-year old granddaughter. He says he keeps pretty busy (maybe too busy!), but he’s especially excited about returning for his 50th Harley Reunion in June 2027.
