How do you pronounce your last name?
Rhymes with page.
What’s the D in “JDH” stand for?
You’ll never guess. It was my grandfather’s name.
What do you do for a living?
I’m the Director of Marketing Communications for Cardiac Science. We focus exclusively on noninvasive ways to manage heart disease.
Do you like it there?
I’m having a great time. The job’s perfect for me. I get to raise overall awareness of Cardiac Science, its unique offerings, and increase sales and goodwill through clear communications and a new, more approachable brand.
Why do you keep a blog?
I get this question so often I wrote a whole piece on it. More than anything, I’m entertained when I’m learning. And I’m learning how to build an online brand with my blog.
Why do you have a 917 cell phone number?
It’s my own little way of saying, “Hey, I’m a New Yorker.”
Where in New York?
Born and raised in Brooklyn, youngest of three and the only boy. We moved into our house on my third birthday. We sold the house when I turned 40 and, let me tell you, real estate can appreciate nicely in 37 years!
How do you like living in Washington?
It’s a great place to raise the kids. We have a backyard, the dog can run around, and Beth is happier than any time since she met me back in 1995.
It must be a pretty big change from living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan!
It was a much bigger change to go from a NYC apartment hallway to a swing set in the backyard.
What was important to us then (Broadway, traveling) isn’t what’s important to us now (Zach, Luke, their development, and our family).
Are you keeping up with your acting?
I was in a 2010 production of “It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show” with Twelfth Nigh Productions after a 16-year absence from the stage.
First, kids and family.
Second, job.
Third, blogging, reading, and learning.
Fourth, faith (it’s very important to me, but I spend more time on the first three). I sing bass with my church choir and I find myself looking forward to Wednesday night rehearsals and Sunday mass. I also find spiritual comfort from the Art of Living.
Fifth, I like to help others with their marketing.
I co-wrote Barack Lobster. And I did a silly little video to support my friend Joe who’s “running for office” on the MSN original “Republicrats” ticket. It was shown at the New York Television Festival, Joe tells me. They laughed. It made me happy.
I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that I uploaded my favorite Wharton Follies clips onto YouTube. But clearly not so embarrassed that I don’t want you to see them anyhow!
How did you like Wharton?
Loved it. Two of the best years of my life. I keep in touch with a number of my classmates and report back quarterly for the Wharton Alumni Magazine.
What do you mean by “helping others with their marketing”?
I like to give back. I joined a Board of Directors member for a not-for-profit last year but it wasn’t for me.
Biznik is a business networking site for small business owners. Join it, it’s free. I stumbled upon the site, learned some stuff, and met some great people in person. I hired a handful of them to organize my office, improve my SEO results, write my copy, and amuse me (that was for free).
There’s a number of members who can use — and are extremely grateful for — some marketing strategy pointers. So I give them some time and advice. Some are just starting and otherwise could not afford me. I see it as a public service and it keeps me sharp.
For example, I talked more than 20 Biznik members through their positioning statements. Sometimes I do one-on-one consultations. It can be very gratifying.
What are you doing with that gun in your hand?
I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?
You have a lot of content on the site now. What should I read first?
I think The First Three Questions is the most “important” thing I wrote; Those other Joe Hages, the most amusing; Everything Happens, for perspective, and Dear Employer, for honesty.
Thanks for reading!
Joe
P.S. Read more about me. Or subscribe. That’d be nice.
…
…
“What are you doing with that gun in your hand” in a JDH FAQ. Brilliant.