Hello… I am Randy Wolken

I love books and reading — I just never thought I would be a writer and book author.

Hi, I am Randy. Thanks for taking the time to get to know me.

I have had so many unexpected and amazing experiences.

And, for me, it all started in a very small town in the middle of the United States. I grew up in Nebraska. My home town was West Point, which is all of 3,500 people.

Then I received this incredible chance to attend college at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. And my life would never be the same.

Today I am happily married for over 30 years and a father of three amazing young women.

I have had an array of experiences that I still marvel at. I have served in the US Army, where I jumped out of planes, drove tanks, and traveled the globe. I have led a soup kitchen serving the poorest in my hometown of Syracuse, New York. I worked in local government on tough challenges related to the environment and poverty. I now lead, as President & CEO, the largest manufacturing association in New York State, serving over 300 companies. I also lead an alliance of six other manufacturing groups that serve over 2,500 organizations throughout New York State.

I love to learn from the people I know and to contribute to their lives. And, this is what I write about.

I have worked with the last four governors of New York State and forged solutions with people across the business and political spectrum. I have worked personally with political leaders such as Hilary Clinton, US Senator Chuck Schumer, and countless others at the national, state, and local level. I am pleased to work with leaders of businesses that lead iconic companies like Corning and IBM. I also work daily with small company leaders who make the products you likely use each day. I am so humbled to witness what they do.

What I love about my current job, that I have held for nearly 20 years, is the people I get to meet and work with daily.

The world we live in is changing fast and has so much to offer. As a learner and a writer, I can help people be more successful and discover how to live a happier, more meaningful life.

Life is hard. We need friends on the journey.

One of the ways I find friends is by reading and writing on Medium.

I have come to enjoy its vast array of wonderful publications such as Illumination and Illumination-Curated. Even more so, I have met and get to read the work of so many amazing writers.

I am looking forward to reading your work and connecting with you, the many outstanding writers of Medium!

Here are just a couple of my articles for you to get to know me better.

To learn more about leadership visit me at www.macny.org.

To get a copy of my book Present-Future Leader, go to www.amazon.com.