Bio

[Brad Sherwood]

As requested, here is my bio.  I'll send my business/work summary today or tomorrow.

Biography:  Brad Sherwood, 05/05/13

Raised on a farm in Michigan.  Began raising cash crops (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc.) as a teenager.  Attended Lakewood High School and was involved in the agricultural program, the local Future Farmers of America chapter, and played trombone in the music program.  Received a diploma in 1977.

Brad's parents were politically active.  His father was a long time township treasurer and his mother was a county commissioner revered and feared for rooting out corruption.

1977 - 1978:  Music major at Western Michigan University for trombone.

1978 - 1982:  Michigan State University, Agricultural Economics major, Farm Management emphasis

Paid for MSU expenses by renting 48 acres from a neighbor.  Continued farming until 1987.

In 1983 Brad's brother and father opened a farm supply store and equipment dealership and Brad worked there until 1990.  Since then Brad has worked for various farm and power equipment dealerships through 2009.

In 1989 Brad met and married a woman from Lewiston, ME, and they have five children with four born in Michigan (3 at home in the farmhouse Brad's father was born in) and one in Illinois.  After moving to Auburn, Maine in 2000 they separated in 2003 and divorced in 2005.

Shortly after moving to Maine, Brad started working at Home Depot.  In 2002 he formed his current business, Professional Home Projects.  Business activities include carpentry and home repairs, appliance installations, farm and industrial equipment inspections, lawn and garden equipment repairs, landscaping, and power washing.

Starting in 2012 Brad also added substitute school bus driving and substitute teaching to his work experience.

Core values:

• We are the sum of all our experiences and influences.  We are what we are because of everything in our past.
• That all relationships, whether it be family, friends, neighbors, business, local, state, federal, and international, should be governed by the Golden Rule.  "Love your neighbor as yourself" is like a coin.  One side says, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you", and the other side says,"Do not do unto others that which you would not have done unto you."  If everyone operated by these principles the world would be a tremendously better place.
• Except for mental illness,  a person is responsible for their actions.  If ones does not purposely injure people, and unselfishly helps others when possible, then be proud of your integrity and don't let others bring you down with their criticism.
• No one is perfect so be slow to judge, give the benefit of a doubt, and always be ready to examine yourself for fault.  Laugh at yourself for your imperfections and then you can forgive, even appreciate the silliness of human behavior in others.
• Question everything for its accuracy and motives while keeping in mind that you yourself sometimes are guilty of distorting the truth.

Brad Sherwood 207-212-1803

"When you change your focus you'll change your results."