born in pensacola, florida to a business-executive father and a stay-at-home mother, he grew up in akron, ohio, and graduated from walsh jesuit high school in 1974, and from ohio state university in 1978, where he majored in sociology. after graduation, he worked at an advertising agency and at the glidden paint company, then became an advertising director at sherwin williams. he said, "joining sherwin-williams was the single best decision, other than asking my wife to marry me, that i've ever made, culminating in a 25-year career here." he has two sisters and is married with three children. when in september 2005 his high school launched a "for the greater glory of god" campaign to mark its 40th anniversary, he donated $1 million to the campaign and gave a speech at its celebration. he is a member of the general chairs of the campaign. a fourth generation irish-american, he appeared on the "irish america" list of 100 irish-americans.