Name

Mark Boster

Email

markaboster@gmail.com

Where have you been? and what have you been doing? - - - family, school, career, pastimes, good times, etc.

It has been one heck of a ride and the end is nowhere in sight. After Eastmoor, I went to the OSU where I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. I think I considered every discipline on campus except pharmacy. I ended up graduating with a major in geohydrology and a minor in computer science. During summer breaks, I taught sailing and canoeing at a camp on Hoover Dam. Fourth thru sixth graders are a lot of fun and quick learners.
It was off to University of Arizona for my graduate studies where I had a National Science Foundation Fellowship and an opportunity to study arid land water resources.  I enjoyed studying at U of A and fell in love with Arizona.  While working on my dissertation, I spent many afternoons and most weekends learning how to fly gliders (sailplanes). I hustled guest rides to pay for the plane and tow and built enough hours to become a Certified Flight Instructor in Gliders.
My doctorial dissertation was quite controversial because it showed that the multi-billion-dollar Central Arizona Project to bring Colorado River water to central and southern AZ was not a good investment and unnecessary.  The University gave me my PhD in Water Resources Administration and Natural Resources Economics but State officials invited me to leave the state. This was my first incident with politics.
I originally thought I wanted to be a college professor but elected to pursue a career in applied rather than theoretical sciences. My background fit perfectly with the original environmental quality laws, so I moved to Northern Virginia where I worked on environmental impact studies for surface coal mining in the Western states. I ended up spending 23 years in the Federal Government in various senior positions ending at the Department of Justice (DOJ) as the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Information Resources Management.
I loved being the CIO at DOJ and oversaw development of a large number of criminal justice computer systems that are actively used today. The highpoint was working with Attorney General Janet Reno. An amazing woman and historically significant individual.  
After retiring from the government, I spent another 20+ years as a consultant helping build small government-facing companies. I finally retired for the fourth and final time in 2020.  
Margo and I have made our home in Scottsdale, AZ. We spend a lot of time traveling the Southwest, often on our motorcycle. Spending time with our Grandchildren in our swimming pool and taking them to National Parks and historic sights is so much fun.

favorite high school memory

Daniel Brustein standing-up in the auditorium and opposing the Vietnam war during a military recruiting event. I did not fully understand what he was saying at the time, but I admired his courage and foresight. I later learned how much I agreed with him.

unique achievement

I have lived an amazingly rich life with so many personal achievements.  Certainly, marrying Margo at a drive-up window in Las Vegas on April Fools’ Day 17 years ago is a standout. She helps keep me centered and her wisdom is so important to me. My son, Micah, and two stepchildren, Danny and Nicole, bring unique happiness. And then there are five grandchildren who have become the center of our universe.

standout event

Margo and I riding a Harley-Davidson in all 50 states including Scottsdale, AZ to Alaska.  It took us 11 years to accomplish our goal, but what fun. Second place goes to rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon to Lake Mead. Third has to be bare-boat sailing in the British Virgin Islands where I captained a 50-foot sailboat.

unforgettable trip

I have traveled extensively within and outside the USA. Nothing compares to Margo’s and my month-long cruise from Santiago, Chile, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We went through the Strait of Magellan, crossed Drake’s Passage, and spent six days in Antarctica. The ship had a 20-person expedition team that could have staffed any major university. We went ashore five times and walked amongst the penguins and seals. The vastness of the bottom of the world and unspoiled quietness was sensory overload. We left Antarctica and sailed up to the Falkland Islands and on to Buenos Aires. We wrote a blog during the trip that you can find at:  margoboster.com/category/travel/antarctica-2019 if you want to read more about it and see some pictures. Antarctica was a surreal experience that touched our souls. We plan to go back in 2023.

little-known fact

I have two shoulders and one knee replacements that have not slowed me down. I also have severe ADHD that was not diagnosed until later in life. I was tested at Duke University and they told me that I had a much higher probability of being in prison than earning a PhD.

You’ve come a long way in 55 years. Where are you going in the next five years?

Spending time with our five grandchildren is high on the list. I continue to ride motorcycles frequently with our motorcycle club friends. I currently have 2 motorcycles in Arizona and 1 in North Carolina. I plan on riding my NC motorcycle back to Arizona In the Spring to see if I can do that at 74.  For my 80th birthday, I want to get arrested for doing a motorcycle wheelie down Scottsdale Blvd!