I hail from Hillside, a small town in New Jersey, nestled in the shadow of New York City. It was on November 9, 1954, that I entered this world. Even in my early years, my drive and ambition were apparent. To channel my boundless energy and avoid getting into trouble, I was “encouraged” to work with my father at his trucking company, Jacoby's Express, where I was a driver’s helper.  (driver’s helper meant I had to hop into the truck and push the boxes towards the front door).  My mom, unable to handle my hyperactivity, saw this as a viable alternative. I was eight years old when this career started and lasted until I was thirteen, when my father sold the business.

At the tender age of ten, I found myself earning a wage of 50 cents per hour as a helper alongside the company's drivers. These grueling workdays often stretched to a staggering 14 hours. It was during these formative years that I believe my strong work ethic was forged.