Men and Their Chairs

 

There’s something special about the relationship a man has with his chair. Curiously, we wanted to see some of the chairs our local Beaufort County men are attached to, and therefore, went looking for a few good men. We did a good job finding them, and not only did they have a favorite “chair,” creative as it may be, but a lot of heart as well!

 

Jeff Bradley

Hometown:  Florence, Alabama
Career: Financial Advisor at Edward Jones Investments, Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for District 123
Married to Anne
Children: Cooper, 31;  Logan, 27; Griffin 21

My favorite motto or words to live by are:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”—Teddy Roosevelt
Something about me that would surprise people is: I have a 1971 Ford tractor and I love it. I use it on a little farm we have in Jasper County.
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime is: The South Carolina Brain Institute come to fruition. In April 2016, the SC House of Representatives passed a bill allowing people to donate brain tissue for research like organ donors. I have been working with Clemson University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina to open a brain research institute to study anticipated tissue provided through the program.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done: At age 21, I bought a 29-foot sail boat here on HHI and sailed it to the Bahamas without really knowing what I was doing.
On any given Saturday, you can find me: Watching college football. My wife, Anne and I love SEC football. We suffer from minor depression after football season.
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life? Both really. My dad died when I was 19 years old. Up until that point he was the most influential because of his gregarious personality. After that, I would have to say my mom was the most influential on me because we became closer after my dad’s death.
My greatest achievement (other than family) is: Starting the GED Boot Camp on Hilton Head Island, and getting the state of South Carolina to adopt our business model and start GED boot camps across the state.
What you should know about my chair (history of chair): I sit in a chair that metaphorically dates back to the 1700s.
If my chair could say something about me, it would say: This guy really considers it a privilege to be in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be: Just go for it!

 

Amos Hummell

Hometown: Simpsonville, SC
Career: Visual Arts
Married to Lynne
Sons: Clark and Chandler

Favorite words to live: “Bloom where you are planted.”
—Mary Engelbreit
Something about me that would surprise people is: I’m shy.
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime is: Peace.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done is… ”Living Colors”, a down-home local theater production on Calhoun Street for 2 year run. Would I do it again? That’s a tough call.
On any given Saturday, you can find me: You can’t! Best to text me.
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life? Mom. She was ahead of her time on human and animal rights.
My greatest achievement (other than family) is: Living the dream.
What you should know about my chair: It’s a rescue— adopted, and splashed up with a new suit of colors. The kids blessed it with their handprints. Old and weakened from years of tough duty, it now wiles away its days in the company of an old artist on an island.
If my chair could say something about me, it would say:
“Bless his heart... he does try.”
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be: “Hug the ones you love. Love often.”

 

Augie Martinez Jr.

Hometown:  Beaufort, SC  
Career:  Entrepreneur: interpreter, public speaker, writer    Married to Kelli.
Children: 4, all grown and gone

My favorite motto or words to live by are: Help somebody everyday.
Something about me that would surprise people is: My ethnic background is 100% Latino.
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime is: The rebirth of the American family.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done is… ”Living Colors”, a down-home local theater production on Calhoun Street for 2 year run. Would I do it again? That’s a tough call.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done:
Asked God for patience.
On any given Saturday, you can find me: At Bricks on Boundary in Beaufort.
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life? My mother—because of her I am the man that I am today.
My greatest achievement (other than family): I have worked with at-risk youth (pro bono) for 27 years. It’s a privilege.
What you should know about my chair: It’s a desk. When I teach a class or meet with one of “my guys,” I usually wind up sitting on a desk.
If my chair could say something about me, it would tell you… The more belligerent a kid is, the more I gravitate towards him.
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be: Never stop learning.

 

Bobby Ryder

Hometown:  Paterson, NJ   
Career:  Singer/Saxophonist   
Married: to Lisa  
Children:  Sam and Tara

My favorite motto or words to live by: God Bless America
Something about me that would surprise people: I love to read, especially detective novels and biographies.
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime: More live music venues like show rooms and supper clubs.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done:
Swam with wild stingrays.
On any given Saturday, you can find me: Performing in a club or restaurant.
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life? Both were because they were good, hardworking people. Dad was a bartender his whole life and mom was professional housekeeper.
My greatest achievement (other than family): Surviving as a full-time performer.
What you should know about my chair: My chair has been around for quite some time.  It follows me because it’s really a bar stool located anywhere the bartender knows my name and knows what I drink.
If my chair could say something about me, it would say: Coffee, tequila, scotch and I’ll be back after the show.
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be:
Just be a good person.

 

Roger Pinkney

Hometown: Daufuskie Island, SC  
Career: Juke joint poet, partisan of pines, patriot of palmettos, prince of porpoises.   
Married Amy Baylor Pinckney, half my age and weight.
Children: Chad, Susannah, Shelley, Roger XII, Laura, Rhys, Rhett

My favorite motto or words to live by: “A beautiful woman is the Glory of God revealed.”
Something about me that would surprise people: I preached in the Lutheran church for eight years.
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime is: Winning the Order of the Palmetto.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done: I got locked in the jail house for cold cocking a developer’s goon with a bottle of Chablis down at Marshside Momma’s.
On any given Saturday, you can find me: Down at Freeport Marina, listening to Cranford Hollow and watching the river flow.
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life? My father Roger X was a storyteller in the finest Southern oral tradition and a talented waterman. And my maternal grandmother was the first female journalist in South Carolina.
My greatest achievement (other than family) is: Being author of 11 books about my beloved Lowcountry.
What you should know about my chair (history of chair):  A “true black” from Sit for Less, a gift from my mother-in-law.
If my chair could say something about me, it would say: I’m heavy as hell.
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be: “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is like the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”  —Mark Twain

 

Kevin Dukes

Hometown: Beaufort, SC   
Career: Real Estate Lawyer with the Harvey & Battey Law Firm
Married to Courtney   
Son: Lane Jiles

My favorite motto or words to live by are: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” –Mark Twain
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime is…Revitalization of the Northwest Quadrant in Downtown Beaufort. Beaufort is a beautiful town, but this historic area has been neglected, and I hope that it will one day receive the attention it deserves.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done is…Take a 23-foot boat 90 miles offshore to go fishing.
On any given Saturday, you can find me…In the woods or on the water.
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life? Both of my parents have been very involved in my life and have led me to where I am today. I truly would not be half the person I am without their love for me, for each other, and for our family. Additionally, my grandfather has been an inspiration to me. He is the best example of what I hope to be. Through his actions he has proven to me that if you are kind and treat everyone you meet with respect and dignity you will go far.
My greatest achievement is…The life that my wife and I have created for ourselves in Beaufort. We have lived here for nearly four years and have a great group of friends and two careers we enjoy.
What you should know about my chair: Throughout the months of April and May, my chair travels with me throughout South Carolina and Georgia in search of Eastern Wild Turkeys. In its short life it has made its way to Manning, Ravenel, Big Estate, Hampton and Twiggs County, and has been a witness to a few successes and many defeats.
If my chair could say something about me, it would tell you…If there is a way to screw up a turkey hunt, I have found it.
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be…Enjoy life. A good friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer a little over a year ago. Four weeks after his diagnosis, we had lost him. He was in his early 60s, had saved his whole life and was about to retire. He can’t enjoy the many things he had worked so hard to be able to do. From that point, I decided that I am going to live as best I can while I’m here. So far it is working pretty well.

 

Geist E. Ussery

Hometown:  Bluffton, South Carolina  
Career: Caterer, Florist, Event Planner and Business Owner of Geist & Co.   
Family: Mom, Dad and brother  
Single   
Children? My GUCCI shoes

My favorite motto or words to live by: Do it with passion or not at all!
Something about me that would surprise people: I’m a Republican.
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime: The Great Wall of China and Forbidden City
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done: Swam in the shark-infested waters of the May River as a child and survived—No missing limbs!
On any given Saturday, you can find me:
Working a Party or Wedding.
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life? They both influenced me and made me the man I am. They loved each other very much and everyone around them. I was surrounded by much love, music, food and dancing, which explains my passion for entertaining.
My greatest achievement: Learning to admit when I’m wrong and apologize sincerely.
What you should know about my chair (history of chair): It belonged to a dear friend and was a gift from her. I treasure it and it reminds me of our life-long friendship every time I sit in it— priceless!
If my chair could say something about me, it would say: He needs to go to the gym now and put down that damn cocktail!
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be: Be kind to yourself and others always.

 

Joseph "Joey" Fierimonte

Hometown: Westwood, Massachusetts
Career: USMC Chief Drill Instructor/Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. Formerly a framer and finish carpenter.   
Married to Kathryn since Nov 9, 2010    
Rank:  Staff Sergeant.   
Children: Sofie, age 2; Ellie 7-mos.

Favorite motto: “Either you run the day or the day runs you.” —Jim Rohn
Something about me that would surprise people: I like country music, paddle boarding and I think I can dance.
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime: Antarctica and an end to terrorism, foreign and domestic.
One of the craziest things I have ever done: I have two amazing daughters and I disarm bombs.
On any given Saturday, you can find me: Going to work at 0330.
Was your mom or dad most influential? My Mom was most influential in my life. She raised my two brothers and me as a single parent since I was 5-years-old. She never complained about football, hockey, lacrosse, or living with three boys, all while managing her full time job.
Greatest achievement: Working alongside some of the bravest service members from around the world in a combat environment and currently working with the top personnel in the U.S. Marine Corps to make Marines on MCRD Parris Island.
What you should know about my chair: What chair? Drill Instructors don’t sit; we train recruits to become United States Marines in 13 short weeks. There is no time for a Drill Instructor to sit.
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be: a quote from Winston Churchill, “Never, never, never give up.”

 

Reggie Deas

Hometown: Newberry, SC
Career: Education (teacher 22 years, administrator 3 years, Director of Personnel current)    
Married

Favorite words to live by:
I am the sum total of my life experiences and “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.” —Vicki Corona
Something about me that would surprise people is:
As much as I love music and singing, I can’t play an instrument and I can’t read music.
One thing that I would love to see in my lifetime is:
EQUALITY. All people treated the same regardless of race, creed, or color. We put bandages on racial issues.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done is:
I jumped into a crowded swimming pool when I was young and didn’t know how to swim. If my neighbor didn’t notice me at the bottom of the pool, I would have drowned.
On any given Saturday, you can find me:
Relaxing, listening to music and preparing myself for the Sunday night performance at the Jazz Corner.
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life?
Both. My mother had a strong spiritual influence because she encouraged my sister and me to go to church every Sunday. She also worked very hard to make sure we had food, clothing and shelter. I was told at a young age that if you want to gain anything in this world, you have to work for it. I have been working two or more jobs since I was 15 years old.
My father was the musical influence in my life. He was a member of a few bands as the lead singer and he also played the congas. At a young age, he shared with me some of his favorite artists that I perform today, such as Brook Benton, Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke.
My greatest achievement is:
Earning my degree to become a teacher and having the opportunity to influence the lives of students.
What you should know about my chair:
Honestly, I don’t have favorite chair. I don’t sit down enough to enjoy a chair. I love to work and stay busy.
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be:
Be careful who you consider your friend and who you trust. Friend is a word that is widely misused. It’s very difficult to find a person with whom you can develop a bond, one you can trust, and one who has your best interest at heart.

 

Conor O'Hara

Hometown: Kings Park, NY   
Career: Elementary School Teacher    
Children: Every child
I teach!

My favorite motto or words to live by are:
Never stop learning because life never stops teaching!
Something about me that would surprise people is…
I have seen every Disney movie….and loved them all.
One thing I hope to see in my lifetime is…
A New York Jets Super Bowl win.
One of the craziest things I’ve ever done is…
When I was younger and easily persuaded,
I went streaking around my brother’s (soon to be my)
college campus, SUNY Oswego.
On any given Saturday, you can find me…
Golfing. You can’t beat a day on the course!
Was your mom or dad most influential in your life?
Mom. My mom has always been there for me and helped
to influence my career path.
My greatest achievement is…
when I have an impact on the more challenging students’
lives in a positive and memorable way.
What you should know about my chair:
It’s a chair that resides in my teammate’s room. I go there
when I need time to think and relax…and I LOVE to relax!
If my chair could say something about me, it would tell you…
YOU ROCK! (It’s a rocking chair.)
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be…
Live life to the fullest and surround yourself with people that challenge you to be a better person.
Editor’s Note:
We chose Conor because we were intrigued that he is called “the child whisperer!”  Apparently he is an amazing teacher
and wonderful with children!