I worked on the river in Burlington IA. for P&D Harbor Service for right at 6 1/2 years before I came to Buffalo IA. to work at Blackhawk Fleet where I worked for 14 years until Alter Co. gave me a chance to go to work for them on their lineboats where I've worked 11 years going from a pilot to a "Captain". So, I've been on the river since I was 21 years old starting out as a deckhand when our son Jerry was all but 2 years old. I got started working on the river in "1976" due to having trouble finding a good job. A friend of mine "Ed Runnells" from Burlington IA. worked for Jack & Cleva Percival at P&D Harbor Service and gave me a good reference and I was hired. Never dreamed in a million years that the river was my calling in life. I have Ed to thank for where I'm at today! I work for Alter Barge Lines which also owns Blackhawk Fleet. When I went to pick up my bonus check this past winter I was told that I am Alter's biggest success story! I thanked them for being so generous with my bonus. I have never and will never forget where I came from. Being successful will never go to my head like it does to so many people. I am just thankful for the good job that I have and for having such a great comapny to work for. Marge & our 3 kid's tell me that I'm their "HERO". Marge & I are a team and I couldn't do what I do without her as my partner in life. Everything that's good in my life I owe to God. xoxo