Ken was born June 25, 1931 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
He was raised and went to school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and
worked several years as a manufacturer’s representative before
marrying Francies and immigrating to the United States in 1959.
Joined BCBSM (then known as Michigan Hospital Service) in
December 1959 as a “Junior Representative” in the Westside Office.
Began Training in February, 1960 as an Enrollment Representative
in the Downtown Office and becamse the first minority, (non-white)
representative in MHS.
A short recap of his BCBSM employment history:
|
1962
– Labor Liaison Representative
1964
– District Manager of Ann Arbor Office
1967
– Regional III Manager
|
1977
– National Groups
1980
– Market Relations (Labor Liaison)
1988
– Special Early Retirement
|
He
considered the time spent dealing with labor leaders as the most
significant, fulfilling and satisfying portion of his entire career.
Most labor leadership conferences and conventions occurred on
weekends, away from office settings, which provided the opportunity to
develop strong working relationships with National and International
labor leaders. He fondly
remembers spending summer weekends with Steve Yokich (and other UAW
leaders) at his lakeside cottage before he became the UAW International
President.
Since
retiring from BCBSM, Ken and Fran moved from Lansing to Grand Haven and
as a holder of a United States Coast Guard 100 ton Masters Certificate,
has been operating sport-fishing charters on Lake Michigan. Since 1992 he has been employed by a plastic extrusions
company to entertain their customers on the corporately owned fishing
charter boat. In 1991 he
was one of five founding fathers of the National Association of Charter
Boat Operators (NACO) with members from Maine to Hawaii, Florida to
Alaska. Was President of the Grand Haven Charter Boat Association
(130 members) and in 2001 was presented with their Captain of the Year
award.
Ken
spends the off season, from November to April, at this winter home in
Destin, Florida. During the
2002-2003 season he was President of the Destin Snowbirds, Inc., a club
of 3000 members that migrate back and forth from their nothern homes to
the Destin area. Their
activities include weekly meetings with professional entertainment,
bowling leagues, golf scrambles, golf leagues, pitch & putt, par 3
leagues, cards (bridge and euchre) nightly, weekly casino trips to
Biloxi, Mississippi, weekly blood pressure clinics, a singles club,
volleyball, table tennis, a fashion show, monthly parties including
fishing trips and boat cruises.
They
also enjoy spending time with their 3 offspring – Debbie, Robert&
Tracey and grandchildren – Kenneth, James & Dara.
LIKE
TO FISH – CALL KEN!!
