My career has been anything but conventional. Without a doubt, I’ve taken “the path less traveled.”
Would I change it? Not a chance!
I’ve been a corporate CEO three times and the Chief Marketing Executive for two of the world’s best-
known brands – Pepsi-Cola and Burger King. But my multiple stints in the executive suite have also been
interspersed with an extensive range of ‘mini adventures.”
In 1986, when I was a CEO at Burger King, I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. In the same year, I finally
completed a Master’s in History from the University of Miami, which had taken five years and included a
class taken at Cambridge University in England.
In prior and subsequent years, I completed the Twin Cities Marathon, climbed Cotopaxi in Ecuador,
hiked and rock-climbed in northern Spain, sea kayaked in British Columbia and competed on an outrigger
canoe racing team in Newport Beach.
At 57, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of learning to box, sparring regularly with a professional boxer for
three years, and achieving my goal of going 12 rounds (“championship distance”) in the ring before finally
hanging up my gloves in 2006.
And I did all this…because?
And I did all this…because?
Well, over the years I’ve come to trust that – in the words of Helen Keller – “life is either a daring
adventure, or nothing.” I’m a firm believer that we learn as much from putting ourselves into
uncomfortable places and situations as we do from our days in the classroom… and the Board Room.
Learning to think, to manage, to lead…is a life-long process abetted by breadth of experience and depth of
perspective.
This world itself is a sort of classroom – a most interesting one - and for as long as I can remember, I’ve
wanted to experience as many aspects of it as I possibly can.
With my wonderful family and treasured friends by my side, it’s been one hell of a ride.
And it’s far from over!
And it’s far from over!
Ellen & Jeff’s Wedding
(1970)
Ellen with Jason
(1976)
Fairfield 20th Reunion
(1985)
Kilimanjaro Expedition
(1986)
With Mickey Mantle & Whitey
Ford at their Florida Fantasy Camp
(1990)
Jeff & Best Friend of 50 Years,
Paul Clifford in Spain (1994)
Jeff with Jesse Jackson &
Aretha Franklin
(1994)
Kayaking in Johnstone Strait,
British Columbia with Orcas
(2000)
Jason & Debbie’s Wedding
(2001)
Jeff and Ellen at Jason and
Debbie's Wedding
(2001)
Grammar School 50th Reunion
(2004)
Sparring with Steve “Action” Hurley
(2005)
Jeff & Kyle Craig
(2006)
Jeff & Rick Berman
(2006)
Jeff & Lane Cardwell
(2007)
Jeff with Dean Joyce Gattas of SDSU &
Dr. Dave Theno of Jack In The Box
(2007)
“Brinker Alumni” gather to honor
Norman Brinker
(2007)
Jeff & Norman Brinker
(2007)
