James Taggart

Well it took a while, but I finally found myself. I looked in the military first and had a great four years. I first served in London, England as a guard, and then finishing my tour of duty working as a Scout/Sniper. Despite the positive experiences I had, I knew that the military was not for me. Taking the self-confidence I found in the Marines I charged into the next phase of my life, education.

I attended the University of Akron and majored in psychology. While studying there I learned that when I applied myself I was actually a very good student. Obviously this was news to me, and likely to others who were in classes with me at Wadsworth. In the end I did quite well, graduating at the top of my class and even was awarded the Outstanding Senior Recognition Award by the Senior Class Board.

Trying to capitalize on this newfound success I went on to the University of Missouri –St Louis to pursue a Ph.D in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. I breezed through the first few years of course work, which I enjoyed both as a learning opportunity and a chance to engage in intellectual jousting. Alas, once the challenge of the course work was complete, and all that remained was the incessant research requirements, I lost interest. Really I finally realized that what I was most concerned about was proving my intellect, rather than hunkering down to finish all the grunt work required for a doctorate. With that insight I made the decision to take my Masters degree and walk away to find a job somewhere as a business consultant.

I found this opportunity in Philadelphia, and began to work as a Compensation Consultant. Life was good for a while. I worked hard and simultaneously through myself headfirst into all the culture that comes along with living in a big city. After a couple years though along came the dot.com bust. All of a sudden good consulting projects became increasingly difficult to find. After watching round after round of layoffs strike down my peers I decided it was time to strike out on my own and try my luck.

I worked at several different gigs consulting, and supplemented my income by working as a martial arts instructor. I even had a business where I offered self defense training to organizations through their Wellness programs. While this was fun, I realized what a fickle life consulting could be. So, between projects, I decided to fulfill a childhood fantasy of following the Dead on tour for a while.

Soon enough economic realities returned my focus to finding a steadier source of income. I took a deep breath, wished Philly farewell, and returned to the area taking a job as an in-house compensation specialist with Westfield Insurance. Six years later and I am still happily employed with Westfield. I run the various compensation and incentive programs and enjoy the benefits of working for great company that truly cares for its employees.

Mr Williams. While he was only there for a short while, but he took interest in me despite my seeming lack of interest in scholastics.

Both he and Mr Gorman also gave me a gift I cherish, an exposure to art (yeah, in literature classes!). While it was only a briefest introduction, it provided me enough to get me to visit the museums and art houses I was fortunate enough to be near as I lived and traveled through Europe (thanks to Uncle Sam also, for getting me over there for so long and so often).

Both of these men also inspired me to open my eyes to great literature, in addition to the other arts. These are passions I still foster, and have made part of my identity.

I drive through Wadsworth on most work days, but really only stop to visit friends and family now days.

Flava Flay (rapper), Sean Connery, various high level military officials, & Bob Wier.