I was introduced to the mortgage business in 1986 by my good friend Dave Dean. He had recently founded American Capital Mortgage Corporation. I learned many aspects of the business from him. I am forever grateful.

I left a year later. Jim Parsons of Tidewater Mortgage Company literally saved my life by taking me on as an originator. But the charm of business wore off around 1990.

My family and I moved to Kent Island in July 1991. Oh my, the changes we have seen but that would take volumes to write. Most changes were not good. I walked away from mortgages after we moved for two nearly years. By 1993 I was getting the itch to reenter the mortgage biz.

I went to work for Consolidated Mortgage and Moe Iacoboni in historic Stevensville in January 1994. I enjoyed working for a local honest mortgage company. About a year later In March 1995 the owner (Moe) of Consolidated Mortgage decided to sell or close the business. After two weeks of sleepless nights I decided to take a chance and buy it. I knew the business inside and out which gave me some confidence. I borrowed the money from an attorney friend and closed on the purchase for $15,500 in May 1995.

It was the best move I ever made. Luck had the timing perfect. I intentionally grew the biz slowly. Next thing you know the refi boom hit and the business really grew and took off. Three loan reps, a processor, and me. The company was very successful. I had finally found my calling by owning a small business doing something that I loved, helping people, while being at the top of the pyramid.

During that time I learned to create web sites for my business on my own with help from Sam Guilianno of Amingo. I decided to open a Web Site Design business, American Web Page Design. Which led me to open a VHS Video to DVD Transfer business, DVD Video Services, and then a few years later become involved with a Data Recovery business with my friend Tom Tomkins, The Data Recovery Center. Maybe others that I don't remember. I kept busy.

I was the owner of Consolidated Mortgage and Consolidated Mortgage Corp. (a closely held corporation) on Kent Island for 13 years (1995 until 2008). The Great Recession of 2007/2008 forced Consolidated and many other mortgage companies to close their doors. It also forced my other business projects to close. I hung in there until 2008. Everything was shuttered. I then went with Countrywide Home Loans for 6 months while they were closing down. What a mismanaged mess that Company was.

2008 turned out to be a bad year. On top of having to close my businesses, on New Year's Eve 2008 around 4 p.m. my wife rushed me to the hospital. I had a 105.7 fever and arrived unconscious.

As I lay in the E. R. the doctors could not figure out a diagnosis. My brother in law Navy fireman, EMT, Army combat medic, special forces airborne, (and all around bad ass) Jeff Hahn pointed out my feet which were purple and said this guy has sepsis. He was right. The sepsis was caused by a prostate biopsy on December 30 (the day before).

I was unconscious on a respirator for the first 3 days in the Critical Care Unit. The fever peaked after midnight New Year's Day 2009 at 107.8. The doctors did not expect me to make it through the night. They told my wife Terri to inform my family. I did make it through that night thanks to the many prayers from friends and family, and I believe divine intervention. Top notch medical care helped too. I ended up being in the CCU for 8 days and was released after 11 days.

I still have not figured out why I made it through the night. I was discussing it with my dear friend John Wayne Kennedy a few years before he passed. He said it was because I am destined for success and greatness. He was serious. All I could do was laugh! I still chuckle when I think about it. May John Rest In Peace.

Funny thing, during a time in my room there is a memory of hearing ocean waves breaking on the beach and Hawaiian reggae type music playing. Music wasn't playing and no one else heard it. Kind of weird. I have no explanation.

Anyway, that high fever caused a brain injury that affected my memory and other areas of my brain. I have been told I am not the same person.

Bottom line is that I have never felt the same since that battle with sepsis.

Because of my memory and other health issues I opted for early retirement at 62.

I'm still waiting for that success and greatness John was so certain of.

Burt