My M.A. in history from UCSB in 1967 was the springboard to a highly varied career. I continued my graduate studies at Indiana University, where I received an IREX fellowship to study in Yugoslavia during 1970 and completed my Ph.D. dissertation in 1972 (also marrying my wife Susan that year). My dissertation topic, “Bishop Strossmayer’s Political Career 1860-1873,” focused on the development of Croatian national identity within the 19th century Habsburg Empire. I then worked as an Assistant Professor at Western Illinois University and Augustana College (IL), teaching courses in Western Civilization, modern European and Russian history.
Deciding to change direction, I earned an MBA in 1978 and returned to Southern California to begin a career as an insurance broker in Los Angeles, working for such firms as Johnson & Higgins, Minet and Aon. I specialized in commercial lines, construction risks, professional liability and contractors. I concluded my career as the insurance risk manager for a construction management firm, arranging controlled insurance programs for such projects as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Replacement project, and consulting for such clients as Los Angeles World Airports and the Los Angeles Dept. of Water & Power.
I have also developed a strong interest in community theatres and have performed in over 40 shows during the past 25 years, including many Gilbert & Sullivan musicals at the Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Center for the Arts. I am dedicated to public service and have served on many citizens’ boards and commissions. I completed a year of full-time service on the 2022-2023 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury. Every California county has a Civil Grand Jury (not a Criminal one) which investigates and reports on the operations of local governments, departments and agencies to ensure they are run honestly and efficiently. The Final Reports are on this link: http://www.grandjury.co.la.ca.us/gjreports.html
Bishop Strossmayer’s Political Career 1860-1873Roger Williams