At 18 years old and fresh out of high school,Chuck Decker got his first real job as a bartender at a famous New Jersey bar,Donovan's Reef in Sea Bright on the Jersey Shore.He was thrown to the wolves,serving a packed house.”I would have to say that for sure prepared me for life and the need for a strong work ethic,” said Decker,who today serves as president of American Oil and Supply International and is taking the helm of ILMA's Board as president.”Talk about learning on the job and learning how to deal with all types of personalities in a crazy,fast-paced setting.” Decker spent 11 years working at Donovan's,through college and after graduation while he was interning on Wall Street at Paine Webber Investment Bank.”I was hired after my internship in New York City and became an investment advisor,working on what was called a draw,” he said,adding that he received a tiny paycheck that barely covered his commuting expenses.”Donovan's was the majority of my income at the time.” Decker was ready to step away from the finance world,and his former high school football coach suggested he substitute teach and coach.He followed the advice and started coaching football in the fall and teaching while still bartending at Donovan's.He went on to earn a master's degree at Monmouth University.
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