About Me

A former educator, I’m now “employed” only as husband, father, outdoorsman and grandpa. I’m also a hack writer, PR counselor and storyteller for hire. From 1992 until 2018, I was a professor at a large public university in the Midwest. During my final 5 years at that university, I taught exclusively online graduate-level courses — mostly from my kitchen or patio. It sounds cushy, but it was work.

My new profile, shot 01-10-19 while hiking along Michigan’s Boardman River. (Photo credit: Sharon Sledzik)

Before the teaching gig I spent 16 years as a PR professional, most of that time with counseling firms. I have done consulting under my own name, as Sledzik & Associates, and now as “Stories by ToughSledding.” I will accept juicy assignments, but I’m not looking for them and the aggravation that will likely come with them. I prefer spending time on my bike(s), in my kayak or on my cross-country skis.

I married the perfect woman 45 years ago. We have two sons and four grandkids (and one on the way). They all live within 15 minutes of us, so we’re an easy mark for babysitting chores. Sharon knows I worship her, but has probably not seen this profile, as she almost never looks at this website. She sees it as insane obsession that doesn’t  generate income. Perceptive.

18 thoughts on “About Me

  1. Hey Bill:
    A fairly interesting Web site you’ve got going there, especially for an old coot who used to be a PR flack in Detroit. At least you are keeping up with the times. But don’t forget some of us out here remember you from when you were. . . well you know. By the way, rooting for the Steelers this year must be a little like rooting for the Lions — well not quite that bad. Oh, what’s with the short hair? I hardly recognized you? Tom

  2. Bill,

    So good to hear from you. I didn’t have time this morning to investigate your blog page extensivly, but did browse a bit. The family looks great. Tell Sharon I said hello, and compliment her that she doesn’t appear to have “aged” at all.

    Hope you had a great holiday. I have become cranky about how commercialized the whole season has become.

    Sorry that I missed the 35th IHS reunion. I received a notice about 2 weeks before the reunion date. Survival in the car business, coupled with heading a charitable event, The Red Hot Strawberry Ball, that I promote, time was “not on my side”.

    I’ve got to get to work now, but hope to do a lot of catching up with you in the near future.

    Oh, by the way, I still read newspapers more than burn my aging eyes out on a computer screen. Retort to a retort, Choke ’em if they can’t take a f#*&.

    Happy New Year Eustace

  3. Hi Bill,

    Just wanted to let you know that I found the link to your blog on Facebook, so it does indeed serve a purpose far greater than showing embarassing pictures of your students (current and former, I’m afraid).

    I was just reading about this guy who was trying to raise enough money to buy a SuperBowl ad on which he would propose to his girlfriend. He couldn’t raise the money, so now he’s trying to get a corporate sponsor that will give up 15 seconds of its ad to let him propose on its commercial. The catch? These corporate sponsors are all waiting to see how much of a buzz this guy can create before they lend him their precious SuperBowl ad time. He just got me to send this to you, so he must be doing something right. http://www.mysuperproposal.com/about/

    Hope you’re doing well.

    Andrea

  4. Yowzaaa! If your class is anything like the blog link, I’m in for quite a semester. Sounds like a good time. Rock on.
    -Angela

  5. Steelers fan huh? I almost stopped reading your blog when I read that.
    The class sounds pretty cool. I look forward to almost wiping out walking there later. Thanks KSU for totally clearing the walkways. Yeah that was sarcasm.

  6. My Brother Prof Bill:

    I LOVE your “About”. As soon as I can figure out how to do it, I want to add an “About” to my blog. You set a high standard. Lead on, Bill

    Blogging buddies for life,
    Les Potter

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  14. Bil,

    It’s great to finally come across an active and well communicated blog on Public Relations! I’ve been studying the art for almost a year now. Hey, I’m only 19! You can bet I’ll be stopping by quite often. Great work!

    – Garth E. Beyer

  15. *Bill. Sorry for leaving a letter out. -sigh- I dropped my phone on my keyboard a couple weeks ago and broke the cover of my L. I have to hit the tiny button just right for it to register.

  16. Glad you found me, Garth. I’ve not been real faithful to this site of late — and can’t promise I will be in the future. But I’m proud of the body of work I’ve created here — most of it PR related.

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