About the author of "DEALS DANGER DESTINY"So, if you thought a Renaissance Man was a thing of the past, think again. That opening quote was made by Dr. John LaCasse, who has ricocheted through life with ups and downs - ultimate highs and dismal lows. This high ridge walker from Montana became a wizard of wealth in Seattle as a successful yacht broker for 25 years. It brought him into relationships with business magnates such as Boeing, and Weyerhaeuser, political figures such as Secretary of State George Shultz, actor Gene Hackman, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, Adriana Salinas de Gortari, and organized crime bosses Meyer Lansky and Johnny Carbone.Fast and Furious with Penthouse style, fast cars, and outlaw bikers…Being handed checks in the millions, drinking and smoking to excess—it was all real until one day it hit him: “Why am I living this life? Why am I letting this happen?”Even though marriage and fatherhood provided new sources of happiness and responsibility, the loss of two sons brought unimaginable grief. The piles of money meant nothing. Curiosity and education meant everything. John returned to school in middle age, but his attitude got him kicked out of three universities as he became reacquainted with "Who has the power." John ultimately prevailed with three terminal degrees including a Ph.D., in Education eLearning.Fearless John has waded into more than one situation with some interesting results. On a large transaction involving a meeting with the Chairman of Native Northwest Tribes, he realized he had no experience with Native Americans. When he showed up for the meeting, the tribal chairman motioned for John to take his seat across from him. John sat. The Chairman sat. They stared at each other. John raised his right hand and said, “How.” The Chairman leaned in and in a soft voice replied, “I have a master's degree, and I’m writing my Ph.D. dissertation on Biomass at the University of Washington, and I speak English.” That became a friendship that lasts to this day, and John carries a Chief Honor Blanket from The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. ******************John LaCasse is the founding principal of Silvertip Research. A team organization connected through companion disciplines in Factor Analysis for Statistics, Economics, Econometrics, eLearning, and Education. He is a private pilot on land and sea. CAPT United States Merchant Marines.