In part two of our two-part series, get to know our tour guide Tony.
-
Hometown: Pittsburgh
-
Current City: I grew up in, and still live in, Penn Hills
-
College/Major: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Communications Media major, with a minor in English and another minor in Theatre
-
Best thing about Pittsburgh: I have two good ones, at least to me, cost of living and I don’t have to worry about dangerous weather (e.g. tornadoes, Earthquakes, hurricanes)
-
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? My sons and I are all comic book, anime and Japanese Manga fans, so we have this conversation a lot… I usually choose Omnipotence, like Dr. Manhattan from the Watchmen comics or when we can’t choose just one power we go with characters. I usually go with the Blue Marvel from Marvel Comics or One Punch Man from Japanese Manga. If I MUST choose an ability I’d choose ‘adaptability’, because my body and mind would adapt to any situation to overcome any issue.
-
Who is your role model and why? I could say ‘I don’t have a role model’, because I never wanted to be like anyone. I always wanted to blaze my own trail and become something of my own. But, I do have one. Jesus. The only perfect person that walked this planet. That is someone who I follow and who inspires me.
-
Favorite part of the tour? The Ball Park. I love seeing the kids’ faces when they walk in. It gives me the chance to tell them that if they get a job they enjoy doing, it inspires them to do better, then the higher ups are inspired to keep that employee happy by doing extra for them. Its a giving circle. I always tell kids that ‘if you’re blessed to get a job in something you like to do, you never work a day in your life’.
-
Tell us one of your most memorable tour experiences. I try to make my tours fun, exciting, informative and inspiring. My most memorable tour experience was with a group of grade schoolers. After the tour, as the kids were piling up and walking out the door, one little girl broke from the crowd, ran up and gave me a big hug. I love kids. I treat them as if they were my own, so my goal is to inspire them the way I do my own four kids.
-
When you’re not at Inventionland, what are you doing? When I’m not in Inventionland I’m busy. My wife home schools our kids, so I jump at the chance to teach as well. My part, surprising, is media and life. Videography, photography, editing, writing, social media, etc. I also work on preparing my kids for the future by teaching life lessons, teaching the lessons from the Bible and how to survive in the world they’ll inherit as adults. When I’m not spending time with my family, I also coach youth football and youth track & field.
-
Unique talents/skills? I guess my biggest talent is working with people, but, if you ask my family, its being a goofy. Life is short, I’m only serious when necessary.
-
Favorite TV Show? I’m a big sci-fi fan, so I’d have to say my favorite is the entire genre. Second to that is action and comedy. Mix them together and I’m in total bliss.
-
Favorite Brunch Food? What ever I like and available, but my wife would say potato chips.
-
Guilty Pleasure? REAL milk chocolate. Not that drab stuff the big candy bar industry has been putting out. Real chocolate products like from Sarris in Canonsburg, Gene and Boots in Perryopolis and Rosalind Candy Castle in New Brighton
-
What one word would your mom use to describe you? Determined. I don’t give up. I may take a break, but I don’t quit.
-
When I was ten, I wanted to be… a butt kicking super hero that fights super humans, aliens, extra dimensional beings, you name it. I wanted to be the protector of the Earth.
-
In high school, I was… the Billy Dee Williams of high school football. I was involved in stage in my last two years of high school. During the Spring I would go straight from a musical rehearsal to Spring football practice. My Head Coach called me the Billy Dee Williams of high school football, because, to him, actors were wimps, but Billy Dee was a tough guy and I was no wimp.
-
People would be surprised to know that I… used to be certified in stage combat and fight choreography
-
In five years, I see myself… finally being able to take my wife on a honeymoon (all the kids will be in college or beyond at that point). My wife had the courage to marry me in the beginning of my career (the broke years). Then we had four kids, then… then… then… life happens. The honeymoon will be almost 30 years late, but I’m going to take my Queen where ever she’d like to be.
-
Who would play you in a movie and why? Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) or Will Smith. Two action actors that can be both funny and serious in a movie and make it look natural. My life is almost as much active as it is everything else. Although, I’ve had some times in my life when Rowan Atkinson would have easily fit right in (like changing my 1st child’s diaper for the first time)!
-
If you were trapped in Inventionland overnight, what would you do? Hook my Ipod up to the sound system and let the music play… and play loud! If I’m going to be trapped, I’m going to at least enjoy myself.
