Our History

Restaurateur
Co-Owner of the critically acclaimed restaurants Wilson Street Grill (1987-2001) and Kennedy Manor (1992-1999.)

Meaningful Work - Videotape and Workbook
How to Order a copy | Watch the Video
Wrote, produced and directed 17-minute videotape, and co-wrote, produced and edited a companion workbook as tools for employers interested in employing people with disabilities. The video introduces successful employees with disabilities and depicts their work and interactions with staff and customers. It includes interviews with other staff, managers, family members and experts on the meaning, importance and potential of hiring practices that include people with disabilities. The workbook is a resource guide with anecdotes and experiences from the Wilson Street Grill to demystify employing people with disabilities. The workbook was funded in part by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

HospiceCare 2002
Redesign food service operation to serve patients, family members and staff, refine management standards and practices, analyze menus, food sales, operations profile and design elements and evaluate systems and operations.

Business Enterprise Program - September 2001 - April 2002
Analyze general business and food costs, product pricing, menu selection and physical plant issues for cafeteria operations in Wisconsin State Office Buildings. Prepare report including recommendations for improved fiscal performance, efficiency of operations, effective marketing, operator success and consumer satisfaction.

Education and Inspiration - Videotape - 2003
Wrote, produced and directed a 10 minute videotape that is meant to educate and inspire employers re. hiring persons with disabilities. The video features three employers, in different professions talking about their hiring experiences. The inspirational segments have the employees talking about the role work plays in their lives. The video was funded by the Department of Health & Family Services Bridges To Work Project.

CCUE "Sparks" - October 2003
Created the Creative Communities Utilize Everyone (CCUE) campaign to enhance awareness of the importance of inclusion in civic life. Oversaw design and collaborated with the Developmental Disabilities Council on creating
messages for mini-grants for eligible community groups, people and projects. Enlisted the involvement of the Mayor and the city's website. Created an application and brochure design.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS - 2004
Wrote, produced, marketed, and directed two public service announcements that featured the powerful and de-stigmatizing message of inclusion. Part of the Quality Communities Utilize Everyone Campaign that I created. Madison Gas and Electric has agreed to sponsor the PSA's on television this spring.

COMMERCE GRANT- Job Initiative - 2004
Created a plan for a sustainable food service for Dane County Court House, that would purchase 70% of its food from local Dane County farms. Pioneered the concept that persons with disabilities are part of a sustainable economic system that would make up 1/3 of the project workforce. The objective is to place this in an institutional setting such as the Dane County Court House.

SAINT MARY'S CARE CENTER-Food Consulting - 2004
Conducted a client survey and recommended changes in the food service. Oversaw planting of an heirloom vegetable garden were patients could follow the growth of vegetables providing taste memories from their youths. The effort added meaning to the food and the food added meaning to the environment.

EPIC SYSTEMS-Food Consulting - 2004
Made recommendations for the in house food service at the new headquarters in Verona, Wisconsin, with its unique set of employee needs. The aim: to blend food with place.

MADISON MAGAZINE-Food writer - 2002 - Present
Co-author a monthly food column called "Genuine Articles" that highlights culinary gems in our community. The column's purpose is to give visibility to food, people and practices that celebrate substance over artifice.

CONSULTANT-MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART - 2004
Developed a business plan for the new proposed restaurant in the Museum at Overture Hall. Objectives included: analysis of key variables, development of financial feasibility, and envisioning a restaurant that would meet the objectives of the Museum.

CALEB'S STORY-8 minute video - 2005
Wrote and produced an 8 minute video on Caleb Luke. In spite of very complex disabilities Caleb has been able to have a meaningful life that has enabled him to work and own his own home. The project was paid for by the Waisman Center, the Developmental Disabilities Council and the Coalition for Advocacy.

NAVIGATOR -2 minute video - 2005
Creation and production of a 2 minute video to introduce disability groups to a new program created by Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

BUSINESS CONSULTATION - The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services - 2005
Develop and interpret the role of Business Liaison to complement person-centered planning for the vocational goals of people with disabilities.

ACADEMY of ARTS, SCIENCE & LETTERS - Summer, 2005
Cover story on Meaningful People, Places & Food, with photo essay on persons with disabilities and work.