When I’m 64

The Beatles famously crooned, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four?” Now that I’ve reached this milestone, I’m not only reflecting on the lyrics but celebrating the journey that brought me here. Life at 64 is about more than still being needed or fed—it’s about the milestones achieved, the people impacted, and the opportunities to keep contributing.

As I look back, I’m proud of a career that has spanned decades. I've been privileged to wear many hats: a dedicated father, Chief HR Officer, a passionate college professor, and an enthusiastic instructor preparing the next generation of HR leaders through SHRM certification programs. These roles have enriched my life and given me the chance to shape futures.

Recognition for my efforts has been humbling and affirming. In 2007, I was honored as the SHRM HR Leader of the Year, a national recognition that affirmed my dedication to advancing the HR field. In 2009, amidst the challenges of an economic downturn, my innovative contributions were acknowledged with the HR Innovation in a Down Economy Award from SHRM. The accolades continued with the HR Honor Roll by HR Executive Magazine in 2010, recognizing consistent excellence. My passion for teaching was celebrated with the Adelphi University Teaching Excellence Award in 2013, and my influence extended beyond HR when Long Island Business News named me among their 50 Around 50 honorees.

These achievements, while gratifying, are not just about the trophies. They represent hard work, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Each award reflects the collective effort of teams, mentors, and colleagues who believed in collaboration and innovation.

I have also had the honor of speaking at more then three dozen HR conferences including 12 national conferences on a broad range of topics from global HR to performance management and most recently to my newest passion to address - "Ageism". My blogging and writing has slowed to an occasional blog post, business journal article and the musings I post here on LinkedIn. I do miss my time writing for Fistful of Talent (FOT). My fellow FOT'rs were and continue to be some of the brightest and most talented HR exec's in the industry and they continues to be trailblazers....

But the journey isn’t over. Life at 64 is vibrant, and there’s much more to accomplish. If anything, this phase of life is a reminder that age is not a limitation but an asset—a testament to resilience, experience, and wisdom. To those who might wonder, “What’s next?” I say: Stay tuned. There’s more to come.

So yes, Beatles, I’m still here, still needed, and still feeding my passions. Life at 64 is a melody all its own. And for now I feel I am still needed...if your hitting this phase of life find those things that bring you joy and make a difference in the lives of others that is much more important then any award....past, present or future!