Wagner College, SOUL Joel’s Alma matter, has been instrumental in launching his career in entertainment and hiring Soul Joel Productions for entertainment for various student and alumni events. What better way to give back to his Alma mater than to periodically spotlight fellow Wagner College Alumni on The Comedy Point’s website. This week The Comedy Point is proud to present Richard Negrin, Deputy Mayor/Managing Director of the city of Philadelphia.

How did your experience at Wagner College help you with your career?

Richard:

I came into Wagner, like many students, unfocused and full of selt doubt, not sure where or what direction to head.  Four years later, I was filled with confidence and ready to start my career and further my eduction.

Where did you further your education?

Richard

At Rutgers University, where I received my law degree from Rutgers Law.

Do you still keep in touch with other Wagner Alumni?

Richard:

Yes, a couple of alumni, Mark Leibowitz, a good friend who currently sits on the board of trustees at Wagner College. Mark lived next to me at Wagner.  Even Coach Walt Hameline, who I know isn’t an alumni, but I still keep in very good contact with him.  In fact, coach and I grabbed dinner in Philadelphia when Wagner played at Penn a few weeks ago.

So is it safe to say, as a football player, that many of your close friends from Wagner today remain your team mates from the football team?

Richard:

Yes, through email and Facebook I keep in touch with many Wagner Alumni, but the ones that I keep in face to face contact with are from the football team.

What advice would you give others that are trying to break into your field?

Richard:

If you’re going to be in the public service business, you have to have a profound love for people. You have to be committed and smart. You have to open your door at this job and touch people. You constantly have to be out there in the community and care about people’s well being.  The willingness and passion for helping others is big part of working in this field.

When did you know that you wanted to be in the politics?

Richard:

I caught the bug a little bit at Wagner. I took a few different courses like Public Policy and I’ve always been a huge
student of history, which was my favorite class every year in school.

Although I’ve never run for office.  Being in public service, it’s both of the worlds coming together between history and politics. This also allows me the opportunity to work with my concern for people.

What is the one thing that helped you most throughout your life?

Richard:

There are a lot people that I can thank. But it’s been possessing the ability to push through adversity and jumping over hurdles.  I’ve Always believed that persistance will pay off. Throughout my life, I’ve used this throughout my life to suceed.

What were your biggest challenges earlier on and throughout your career?

Richard:

The ability to balance family and work, being a workaholic .  Presence matters for both.
professional

Are you happy doing what you’re doing?

Richard:

I love my job. It’s the best job in the city of Philadelphia.  I get to come into work every day and serve the people of Philadelphia. Working with people and trying to improve their lives and making them happier.

Richard Negrin
Deputy Mayor / Managing Director
Office of the Managing Director
1401 JFK Boulevard, Suite 1430
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1683
Tel: (215) 686-3480
Richard.Negrin@phila.gov

Click HERE to check out previous Wagner: Where are They Now?

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This week we are honored to feature Lindsay Watts, Consumer Reporter for NewsChannel 13 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Be sure to Follow Lindsay on Twitter: @LindsayAWatts, Like Lindsay on  Facebook! and to contact Lindsay directly email at l.watts@krdo.com

How were you different in your teens than you are now?

Lindsay:

I’m actually not all that different in a lot of ways! People I knew back then say I look the same, I’m still not married, no kids. In high school and college, I always had a work hard, play hard philosophy, and that hasn’t changed. I’m very young at heart even as the years tick by!

What important things have you learned over the years that have helped you become who you are today?

Lindsay:

I’ve always had a major fear of public speaking, so that’s something I’ve had to overcome. Just about every day, I learn something new at work, whether it be from the topic of my story or the people I interview. I’m proud of all of that random knowledge, and I think I’m a much better person because of it!

What were you best known for in high school?

Lindsay:

Hmmmm….maybe being that girl you always saw running or at the gym? That’s what I’ve been known for in all the different places I’ve lived. I’ve moved around a lot since high school, and I think running has been the most consistent thing in my life since then. I’ve completed two marathons and a triathlon.

Where did you picture yourself as an adult when you were in high school?

Lindsay:

I knew I wanted to work in media, but I don’t think I had any clue what exactly I would end up doing.

Did the people who knew you best think you would be doing what you’re doing now?

Lindsay:

I don’t think it was a huge surprise. A guy I graduated with once told me he always thought I wanted to be the next Britney Spears. Even though I can’t really sing and definitely can’t dance! Back in high school, I was really into Hollywood/celebrity news, so I think people would be less surprised if I had pursued entertainment reporting. Luckily, living in L.A. for three years knocked any ambitions of that out of me. At this point, I couldn’t imagine spending time “investigating” a Brangelina split when there are so many more important things happening in the world!

Was anything you did in high school or college related to what you do now?

Lindsay:

I took a journalism class in high school and wrote a few articles for the school paper. In college, I realized very late that I wanted to work in TV news. I did an internship my senior year at the Fox affiliate in Washington, DC. I ended up doing a broadcasting master’s program at the University of Southern California.

Are there any dreams in high school that you let go of? Are there any dreams that you haven’t achieved that you hoping to accomplish in the future?

Lindsay:

No dreams I have let go of. I think high school me would be really happy with where I’m at and what I’m doing now. Still A LOT of dreams to accomplish! I’m hoping to take my career as far as I possibly can!

Follow Lindsay on Twitter: @LindsayAWatts

Like Lindsay on  Facebook!

Email Lindsay: l.watts@krdo.com

Check out previous interviews for Moorestown:Where Are They Now? Click here

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Presented by Lucas Chevrolet and General Manager Tom Kilroy

This week we are honored to feature Keith Omlor currently, Senior Director of Client Services at CareKinesis, Inc. Keith is the glue that holds Moorestown Boys soccer together. Annually organizing a game with alumni Thanksgiving Weekend.  Keith was also responsible for putting together the class of 1991′s Reunion.  His efforts are thankless but certainly do not go unnoticed.

Follow Keith on Twitter: @komlor

Add Keith on LinkedIn!

How were you different in your teens than you are now?

Keith:

I was 20 lbs lighter, had less wrinkles and wasn’t married with two kids.

What important things have you learned over the years that have helped you become who you are today?

Keith:

Enjoy today! I am a firm believer in saving and planning for the future, whether it is for my kid’s education or our retirement but you also have to enjoy the present. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. Over the past several years we have all witnessed life altering events that we probably never thought would happen in our lifetime. Be responsible in planning for the future but don’t forget to enjoy your life today.

What were you best known for in high school?

Keith:

I’m sure if you polled my classmates the response would be vastly different but I would like to believe that I was known for being a good guy who got along with mostly everyone.

Where did you picture yourself as an adult when you were in high school?

Keith:

Honestly, I didn’t think much about it. I am a Rotarian where we occasionally have student guests and I am amazed at how these kids know where they are going to be in ten years. I didn’t know what I was doing the next day let alone the next ten years of my life.

Did the people who knew you best think you would be doing what you’re doing now?

Keith:

Some people thought I would be involved in music but I would guess that most people thought I would be in sales. I do more client management now but was a sales rep for close to fifteen years. I am not a person who can sit behind a desk all day.

Was anything you did in high school or college related to what you do now?

Keith:

Professionally, no. Personally or socially, yes. I still play soccer, sing (not as much) and volunteer in the community.

Are there any dreams in high school that you let go of?

Keith:

Besides marrying Alyssa Milano, no.

Are there any dreams that you haven’t achieved that you hoping to accomplish in the future?

Keith:

I would like to have my own business someday. Stay tuned…

Follow Keith on Twitter: @komlor

Add Keith on LinkedIn!

Check out previous interviews for Moorestown:Where Are They Now? Click here

Download all of our previous shows on iTunes: Here

This week we are honored to feature Callum Hanlon, who is currently residing in Spain, and produced a commercial that is a finalist to be played during the Super Bowl.

How were you different in your teens than you are now?

Callum:

Not that much different now.  A bit taller (I was a late bloomer) and did not used to smoke.  Not too proud of that though, trying (not really) to quit.  I was always artistically-inclined.  I used to go into Philly to take art classes when I was in high school.

What important things have you learned over the years that have helped you become who you are today?

Callum:

Important things… I have learned to be less judgemental, or at least not to share my judgements.  I didn’t drink or anything in high school and used to get annoyed by my friends when they would indulge.  I was definitely obnoxious, but it stemmed from experiences with substance abuse in my extended family and the fact that my mom is a social worker who deals with substance abuse everyday.

What were you best known for in high school?

Callum:

Art related crap.  I was an art fart in high school.  I played music, skateboard, made movies and played volleyball(?).  So I guess for that. I was also known for my large afro (which is no more).

Where did you picture yourself as an adult when you were in high school?

Callum:

No idea really, man.  I figured something artistic, but I thought a bit more pragmatically back then.  I grew up in Moorestown, but we were not wealthy, so I was always very conscious of wanting to make a lot of money.  Then I worked a few internships in offices and mostly wanted to jump out of the window, so I decided the money would be nice but the standard office gig isn’t something that I aspire to.  I admit this is an upper middle-class luxury, but fuck it, I am going to indulge.  Just have to pay off these damn college loans.

Did the people who knew you best think you would be doing what you’re doing now?

Callum:

I recently heard from my mom that one of my closest friends spoke to his mom (mom gossip) that of the people that he knows, he expects that I will be one of the few to succeed in what I want to do.  That was actually really important to me and I did not tell him that I heard, but it was really reassuring.  I have a bizarrely-talented group of friends who are constantly succeeding.  One of my closest friends is Tracy Morgan’s personal assistant; another has showed at the Guggenheim, in China and Australia; another has been published in the NY Times.  I feel like I have dedicated the majority of my life to being creative and I started to fear that eventually I was going to have to concede and work some crap job, but recently I’ve been on a roll (although success comes in waves) and it has boosted my confidence.  I also have reaffirmed recently my belief that money is not the goal and I am willing to struggle in order to enjoy myself.  I look at it this way.  If I work a shit job 40 hours a week, that means I will most likely resort to the weekend warrior lifestyle, which is utterly unappealing to me.  I would rather struggle, but enjoy the bulk of my time.

Right now I am working as an ESL teacher at a public school in Madrid and I really dig it, granted it is a temporary thing.  In the long run I will pursue something in comedy or arts.

Was anything you did in high school or college related to what you do now?

Callum:

Yeah pretty much everything.  I think that I grew up feeling different (surprise, surprise) and I find art to be the most interesting way to express myself.  Plus, I think about it this way.  If I was an accountant and I went to my friends and said, “Hey, check out these spreadsheets,” they’d tell me to go fuck myself.  BUT, if I make a video, people generally want to see it.  I am not trying to be a dick and disparage those who have chosen different routes, but I know myself and I know what makes me happy (and sometimes drives me up a wall) and that is creating media.

I went to Boston University where I studied Film, hosted a radio show and worked at a dining hall.  I think that the first two are related to what I want to do now.  The last one, not so much.

I talk about ‘art,’ but I do not want to consider myself an ‘artist’ in the esoteric terms that many artists  assume, because I think that it alienates a lot of people.  I think that artists who take themselves too seriously are big sacks of shit and they really rub me the wrong way.  Art is just something that you do if your an artist, but there seems to be this little club that likes to praise them as if they are gods walking among us.  They’re not.  They’re mostly just insecure and when they get some praise they overcompensate for insecurity by being total d-bags.

Are there any dreams in high school that you let go of?  Are there any dreams that you haven’t achieved that you hoping to accomplish in the future?

Callum:

Definitely let go of the dream of being a pro skateboarder.  I remember being thirteen and watching a video of another 13-year old kickflipping thirteen stairs (for those of you who don’t skate, it doesn’t really matter, just know that this is along the lines of going to an Ivy League School, but put it in terms of skateboarding).  The commentary was something along the lines of “13 at 13″ and that was pretty much when that dream died.

I still want to try out stand up.  I’ve been jotting down joke ideas for a few years now, and have promised myself that eventually I will try. I live in Madrid now though, and my Spanish is not quite up to par for performing stand up.

I’d like to work in film.  We’ll see.

THAT’S IT.

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Check out Callum’s website!

Check out previous interviews for Moorestown:Where Are They Now? Click here

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tr.v. em·bar·rassed, em·bar·rass·ing, em·bar·rass·es