Ohio University Soccer Reunion September 23-25, 2005

Dennis Blender

What did you after Athens?
After graduating, moved home (New Jersey) for the summer - and then to Boston. Lived in Boston for 3 years, then moved to Southfield, MI (met a girl for Michigan). Have lived in Michigan since 1976.

Family
Married to Anita since 1990. Have 2 daughters. Katie is 18 (from first marriage); will be a freshman at Indiana University this fall. Abbey is 8, going into 3rd grade.

Career
While in Boston, worked with juvenile delinquents. In Michigan, started in community mental health and then shifted into public education. Had a part-time clinical practice providing psychotherapy to adolescents. Was trained as a clinical psychologist.

For the past 20 years, have worked as an organizational psychologist, helping people in business "play nicely together". For 13 years, was a partner in a large accounting/consulting firm. In 2002, started my own firm, and have been working independently ever since. Focus is on organizational culture, leadership/team development, strategic planning, and enhancing professional relationships. Have developed a "subspecialty" in consulting with family-owned businesses.

Additional education
While in Boston, completed a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (1976). Completed a doctoral program at Wayne State University (Detroit) in 1984 to get a Ph.D. in psychology.

Residences/locations since Athens, Ohio
Lived in Boston area (actually in and around Cambridge) from 1973-1976.
Moved to southeastern Michigan in 1976. Currently reside in Bloomfield Hills

Recreation/hobbies (soccer?)
While in Boston, played for the Harvard Grad School soccer team (I was actually one of the "ringers") for 3 years. We were in the Boston International league - and did quite well.

Upon moving to Michigan, coached youth soccer for 1 year.
Have been retired since 1979 - with no plans for a comeback.

Significant events
Personally, getting married (then divorced) and then re-married. Having 2 beautiful, healthy daughters.

Education: completing a Ph.D. program was an amazing experience, then changing career focus from clinical work/public education to the business world.

Professionally, becoming a partner at Plante & Moran, a well-respected regional accounting/consulting firm. Then, in 2002, resigning the partnership to start my own firm.

Fortunately, our family is healthy. My father is a cancer survivor due to a miracle cancer drug. Unfortunately, my mother passed away in May 2004.

In 2002, took an adventure trip to Tanzania: camped in the Serengeti. This November plan to travel to Nepal to trek to the base camp of Everest.

Contact information
Address: 5312 Provincial Drive, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Telephone: 248-245-7900
Email address: dblender@comcast.net