What about Pete?

A brief history of my life experiences prepared for my friends on the PRSA–Las Vegas Valley Chapter board of directors.

Born in Cedar City, Utah while my parents attended what’s now Southern Utah University.

Spent my childhood years in Logan and Smithfield, Utah while my dad attended Utah State University to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry.

Went to elementary and middle school in Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston.

Won best of show in my 6th grade science fair for a project that measured a person’s reaction time. Part of a bowling league; won dozens of trophies for my bowling accomplishments. Frequently went water skiing with my best friend’s family at Lake Conroe. Participated in Cub Scouts. Received regional band honors as 8th place trumpet player. Participated in summer band camp at Sam Houston State University in Texas.

Attended Niskayuna High School in upstate New York, the tri-cities area (Albany–Schenectady–Troy). Upon graduation received the John Philip Sousa Band Award and Medal of Excellence. My parents still live in Niskayuna; my dad works at GE’s Global Research Center Headquarters.

Participated in community and high school theater, high school band, jazz band, orchestra and show choir. Received an Eagle Scout award.

Attended BYU in Provo, Utah as a freshman on a vocal performance scholarship—music, dance, theater major.

Served a two-year mission for the LDS Church in Utah and Idaho.

Returned to BYU and performed with the Young Ambassadors, a musical theater review company. Toured throughout the U.S., Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Spain, Morocco and Tunisia. Received full-tuition scholarship for serving as the ensemble’s president for two years. Worked as a music department administrative assistant for four years. Now serve on the YA Alumni board.

Changed my major after three years to communication studies with a minor in business management. Received a B.A. from BYU.

Co-founded and operated for two years an entertainment production company—artist management, booking and music production—called Diamond Productions.

Worked for a Salt Lake City talent agency doing TV commercials. Toured the west and southern U.S. with Michael McLean’s Celebrating the Light. Worked at Health Benefits America in Salt Lake City as an insurance provider customer service representative shift manager.

Moved to New York City where I auditioned for Broadway shows and worked as an evening desktop publishing manager at the World Financial Center headquarters of Merrill Lynch. Performed in a dinner theater production of Damn Yankees and received my actor’s equity eligibility.

Moved to Jackson, Wyoming for summer stock theater at Jackson Hole Playhouse to play the romantic lead male role in Calamity Jane.

Worked at BYU’s Performing Arts Management for three years. Traveled as tour manager with BYU student performing groups around the U.S., Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Met and married my sweetheart, Vickey.

Moved to Las Vegas and began working for a public relations agency. Also began serving on the BYU Alumni Association–Las Vegas Chapter board of directors. I’m the current vice-chair.

After three years of teaching school in Vegas, Vickey finished a 10-year teaching career. She now works as an independent sales director for The Pampered Chef; see PamperedChef.biz/vickey.

Our daughter, Eliana Marie, was born at Sunrise Hospital. She’ll be six in September.

Opened Codella Marketing.

Worked at The Venetian in the evenings as a part-time singing gondolier for six months.

Went to work at an ad agency as its director of public relations.

Served as the Public Relations Society of America–Las Vegas Valley Chapter president in 2005 and received my APR in December of that year.

Re-opened Codella Marketing and located its office in the southwest at Durango and Tropicana.

Our son, Dominic Joseph, was born at St. Rose Siena Hospital. He’ll be two in July.

Currently serve on three PRSA boards: assembly delegate for the LVVC, Western District director-at-large and executive committee member of the Independent Practitioners Alliance.

Hobbies and What I Enjoy

An active participant in music at church, serving as choir director, choir member and last year, performing in a musical.

Woodworking—I have built bedroom furniture sets for everyone in my family.

Home improvement and interior decorating—I painted and installed moulding in every room of our home, installed closet shelving, re-designed our landscaping and hired a crew to do the work.

Weight lifting and exercising.

Outdoor recreation—camping, hiking, rollerblading, street skiing (when our 80 pound weimaraner, Sir Tank Thunderpaw, pulls me on my rollerblades as he runs around the neighborhood).