Born and raised in Carroll County. Eldersburg was home until I moved to Randallstown at the age of 19 for one very long year and then back to God’s country where I have been in Westminster ever since. I am currently the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family. Include your pets too!
I have two incredibly smart and handsome sons, Ryan, and Chris. Two beautiful and sweet stepdaughters, Heather, and Dani. Three kind and wonderful stepsons, Joshua, Jacob, and Kyle. And seven adorable grandchildren and three step-grandchildren, equally adorable. And last, but far from least, my most amazing wife, Nikki.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song and why does it resonate with you?
“… hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” ~ Andy Dufresne – The Shawshank Redemption – Everyone needs hope. Without hope you are settling on what is, and not, what can be. With everything that’s going on in this world, could you dare to imagine a world without hope? Would we just give in and accept the way things are and not try to make it better? Do we not fight for what we believe in? I will continue to hope. Also, “Please don’t bury me down in the cold, cold ground. No, I’d druther have ’em cut me up and pass me all around…” ~ John Prine – Be an organ donor! It’s never too late to be hope for someone else.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
After a 37-year career, I retired from Verizon. Then, after a brief stint as a construction company owner I came to Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County as their Construction Manager. After one year I transitioned to the ReStore manager where I was given the opportunity to design, open and run Carroll county’s first ReStore. Shortly after the store opened, I was encouraged to apply for Executive Director position, which had recently, and unexpectedly become vacant. I can easily say that these last four years with Habitat have without a doubt been the most rewarding years of my entire career.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Treat everyone with kindness and try to be the best part of their day. And don’t give up! Take the risk! You will fail, but you will learn so much from those failures and the rewards of your successes will be much greater than you imagined.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite places or events in our community? What is something unique about our community?
My favorite place is my backyard. Nikki and I live just inside the Westminster city limits. We are minutes from all essential services, but when we sit in our backyard it’s like we are in a park in the middle of nowhere. We absolutely love it! The wonderful thing about living in Carroll County, in addition to it being God’s country, is the proximity to the mountains and the beach. A three-hour drive east or west and you’re in a beautiful vacation spot. An hour drive south, you’re in our nation’s capital and a short ride north to the history of Gettysburg.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Westminster or looking to move to Westminster?
See previous answer.
Q: What 3 words come to mind when you think of Westminster?
Home Sweet Home
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Those who contribute to help others. Money is nice, but time is personal. I see so many wonderful people that contribute their own valuable time in the hope that their efforts may benefit someone in need. These people are selfless, full of compassion and have a heartfelt desire to make this world a better place.
Q: Tell us about your bucket list.
I don’t have a bucket list for the simple fear that I will check everything off, and then there’s only one thing left to do after that. On my dying day, I am certain when I look back on my life, I will know that I have accomplished everything that I needed to do.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Well, I don’t talk about this often, but I got to meet Professor Kool when I was a student at Freedom District Elementary School in the mid-60s. I don’t like to brag. I am an open book. All that know me, know me. And they know that I am the most un-interesting man in the world. Well, besides the Professor Kool thing.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
The easiest question on this interview. Without a doubt, my wife, Nikki. I don’t know how her heart fits in her chest! She is the perfect example of humility. I am a better person because of her, and I know that I improve just a little bit each day because of the positive influence and direction she provides. She makes me smile and she gives me hope. …but she will be mad at me when she reads this. Hates attention.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I could only narrow it down to two. Volodymyr Zelensky, the epitome of hope. And Dave Grohl, the essence of being real. I think these guys would love the Hot Hamburger platter at the Plum Crazy Diner.
Q: Finally, how can our readers and I know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection for you or a good person for you to meet?
If you have hope for a better world and want to start right here in Carroll County by helping folks achieve the dream of being a homeowner, contact me. There are so many families out there that need just a little helping hand to get them to the realization of becoming a homeowner and the opportunity to begin building family wealth. Habitat does not give homes away; we give the opportunity of home ownership. If you would like to learn about being a sponsor on a future build or volunteering not only on a build, but at the ReStore, where we are always in the need for those that want to help, contact me. sswartz@cchabitat.org
Please include your website link if you have one!
cchabitat.org
