Robert David Mandilakis

The greatest joys in my life have been being married for 36 years. I'm the proud father of 3 great kids. I'm Greek and my wife is Italian and we're both "foodies". In my former life I took great pride in my professional career, entertaining and traveling. My education was a combination of attending professional chef's training school first. I then attending university majoring in business. I also went to floral design school. My professional goal was to ultimately go into business management and also have the ability to do event planning. The event planning aspect of my education has served me very well, both professionally and personally. I have to say my wife and I were known for throwing some really phenomenal parties! From a business standpoint, I loved the heck out of being a Senior Territory Manager for the largest yearbook company in the country. I retired at an early age from there and tried a sales management positions with a few national firms, but never really felt that combination of pride and love like I used to. So I took a chance and became a Senior VP of International Marketing and Sales for a small Corp. I began working with the U.S. and Foreign Embassies around the World developing new business. My work earned me a place on America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals. The pride and love of my professional life was back. That is until life's events sometimes do, my life was changed forever. Long story short, brain tumor, surgeon mistake, 9 brain surgeries later, waiting on 10th. A lifetime's worth of work and saving gone, but against all odds, I'm still alive and blessed to be with the family that has stood by me, supported me, and continues to love me. I'm living proof that there is a God and prayers do work!