STATISTICS:
Born March 1950 in Clinton, MO
Residence is Helena Montana where my family moved while I was an infant.
EDUCATION:
Carroll College, graduate B.A. Economics 1973
Completed Post-graduate credit in Public Administration; (Accounting, Labor Relations, and Marketing)
MILITARY:
1970 - 1974 Air National Guard
1975 - 1980 Army National Guard
1981 - 1991 U.S. Army Reserve
POSITIONS HELD: Medical Services Specialist, Armor Cavalry Platoon Leader, Media Relations Officer, Training Officer, Personnel Officer
UNITS: 120th USAF Dispensary, 103d Public Affairs Detachment, 163d Armored Cavalry Regiment Trp F(-), 159th Spt Gp,
6228th USAR School, USA CIDC Sixth Region HQ
CAREER and EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
COLLEGE YEARS;
College jobs: car wash manager, college publications
photographer, free lance commercial photography and news reporting, airport flight
line worker (General Aviation), bar tender, private security guard, played trumpet in the
Muncipal Band and Orchestra, folk singer, summer tour guide/bus driver, and rental property maintenance.
College Leisure Activities: painting, skiing, competitive swimming,
college pep band, flying, and intermural soccer. Also in my college years I obtained a private pilot license,
rebuilt a 1963 Corvette, competed in Sports Car Clubs of America speed events,
and traveled across North America as a crew member with an International Formula Car
Racing Team.
During my senior year I produced a one-man art exhibit of original paintings
and photographs.
PROFESSIONAL YEARS;
2003 - THE SLEEPY SENATOR, CLARKSON RENTALS, AND TEACHING;
In 1973 I purchased Eighth Avenue Grocery Building, remodeled the residence and store room and opened Clarkson Studio Photography.
During this time, I continued to assist family maintain their real estate rentals,
and earned extra income by renting the house adjacent to the studio. I limited my business involvement from 1991 to 1995 to help assist my dad care for my mother when she became terminal. Then in 2001
my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I again limited business activities to help
provide in-home care for him until he died in the fall of 2002. During this time, I completely remodeled and furnished
the townhouse rental unit into a luxury overnight tourist lodging facility.
In July 2003 the VRBO, The Sleepy Senator Tourist House, hosted the first guests and in 2004 was declared the "Number One place to stay in Helena" by TravelSmart Publication of NYC.
After my father died I acquired the the family residential rental properties
and became CEO of Clarkson Properties Rental Management.
In 2002 I had started substitute teaching for the local school system for extra income while
re-establishing my businesses activities and today currently am under contract as a High School Drama Coach thespian Sponsor.
1987 - CLARKSON & CO MAGIC AND ILLUSION PERFORMING;
I started
performing Magic and Illusion Shows professionally at the encouragement of
many professional mentors and friends when I was 37 years old after a lifetime of study
and collecting magic props. I swiftly rose to International Status and reputation as a
club room performer and emcee for magician's conventions.
I have held International elected office and appointments in the Society of American
Magicians, an international amateur magic association. I have appeared at many
international magic conventions stage shows and even toured as a featured artist in a
tent circus in addition to a busy schedule producing and appearing in my own illusion shows
for schools, conventions, dinner meetings, charity events, county fairs and festivals.
I have been a magic and special effects consultant to local ballet and theater companies.
I have been featured in regional television news interviews, and radio talk shows.
I also had a brief acting career, performing lead roles in summer stock and community
theater productions and appearing in state tourism promotional films and commercials.
1973 - CLARKSON STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY;
The summer I graduated from college, 1973, I opened Clarkson Studio in a 19th Century neighborhood store and house building I purchased. I started creating display images for local advertising and now have an extensive portfolio of published product advertising and media editorial
assignment images, published world-wide, and I have exhibited artistic photographs in galleries and at the prestigious Pacific Northwest Photo Expos.
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS;
My biography has been published in Marquis Who's Who in America, Who's Who Among Emerging Business Leaders,
and Who's Who in the World. My photographs have been published worldwide, including on many magazine covers and in display advertisements, and I have received the Award of Merit from the Professional Photographers of America.
My Bed and Breakfast, Vacation Rental Unit, was named "The #1 Most Interesting Place to
Stay in Helena" by TravelSmart Magazine of NYC.
I have received achievement awards and the
Life Membership Award from the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians Wizard Award and Order of Harry Houdini Award, Silver Tier. I have served many years on
the Society of American Magicians' International Board of Directors in both elected and appointed positions.
I am a member in the prestigious Hollywood Magic Castle Academy of Magical Arts,
The Society of American Magicians, The International Brotherhood of Magicians,
the Invisible Lodge, and the NY Edison Hotel
Magic Table.
OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS;
Until recently I had been a member of the First Christian Church of Helena and was elected
congregation moderator. For several years I worked part-time with a local ambulance service
and was an active Ski Patrolman on MT Belmont. I am a certified open water scuba diver.
I spent several summers as a projectionist at the local Drive-In Movie Theater and was active in the Helena Exchange Club for nearly a decade, elected to both the local club and district club offices, and received many awards for my participation in the service club. I am a Past Commander of the Reserve Officers Montana Department and Helena Chapter, and I am a Past Master in a Helena Masonic Lodge. I was elected to serve on the City of Helena Citizen's Council for four terms.
MY LIFESTYLE;
I curently live in a scenic Montana community with my standard poodle in my parent's former home, a 5 bedroom 2.5 bath Victorian, constructed in 1891 by Thornbourgh and Day, supposedly designed by famous 19th Century Architect George Appleton of NY. It is near the Montana State Capitol Building and was originally built as a speculation shortly following the vote making Helena the New State Capitol. For decades the house title was in default and litigation, until it eventually was awarded to high-ranked English nobility involved in the British Foreign Service as part of the wealthy influential family's investment portfolio, who owned it until just prior to WWII.
My constant companions for over 12 years,
Heather (Berry's Coppertop) and Shaka (an Artic Lobo wolf) who both died during the
winter of 2006. The dogs have their own
webpage
OTHER INTERESTS:
Studying about spirituality, magic, religion, bowling, reading, snow skiing, auto sports,
concerts, playing the guitar, swimming, hiking, and I am a classical movie and jazz
enthusiast.