Michael’s Journey: A Tapestry of Technical Mastery, Creative Exploration, and Lifelong Learning
The Early Years & Technical Foundations
My career kicked off in February 1979 at Sherwood Metal Products in Wickliffe, Ohio. I started by sandblasting aircraft components and steadily advanced—first as a Wax Inspection Technician and then as a Metallurgical Engineering Technician. In that role, I helped the engineers keep the manufacture blades and vanes for jet engines (for Garrett Industries and Pratt & Whitney) within specs, wrote and edited procedure manuals, helped in the development and research on a new titanium-alloy foundry process called “Single Crystal,” and even co-developed digital methods for measuring wall thickness on wax patterns and finished parts. I stayed there until June 1982.
In January 1984, I moved into technical writing at Precision Metalsmith’s, Inc. in Euclid. I drafted patent-petition letters for the CEO and updated process manuals using WordStar on an IBM PC—while also fatefully deciding, along with the CEO’s assistant, to audition for a play at Euclid Little Theatre. That production, Whose Life Is It Anyway?, cast me as a hospital attorney—an experience I still treasure.
From March 1986 to May 1987, I joined Shaker Numeric Manufacturing in Euclid, de-burring aircraft parts and ensuring on-time deliveries. Then, from September 1987 to October 1988 at Hupp Co., Inc. in Cleveland, I assembled heating and air-conditioning units, drove a tow motor to move finished units, water-tested copper tubing assemblies, and helped prep assemblies for welding.
Embracing Creativity & Communication
In October 1988, I fully embraced my creative side—diving into acting, voice-overs, and modeling around Cleveland. I voiced commercials (including the teen-fashion series “2010” on Channel 19), appeared in infomercials, and later, in 2010, co-wrote, directed, and starred in a promotional video for a personal-safety client through Reagan Communications. These pursuits continued until January 2006, when a diagnosis of Giant B-cell lymphoma and seven months of chemotherapy led me to step back. Though I haven’t returned to on-camera work since, those creative chapters still inspire me.
Between October 1991 and September 1993, I co-owned and ran a fax-newsletter at Cleveland Today in Willoughby, managing customer relations and promotions. From October 1993 to April 1996, I partnered at Reagan Communications, crafting press releases and PR campaigns for local artists and businesses. Simultaneously, from June 1994 to October 1996 at Legacy Communications, I added sales, more voice-overs, talent gigs, and character modeling to my resume'.
Expanding Horizons & Further Roles
The mid-’90s saw me at Gateway Megatech Corp. in Highland Heights (April–June 1996), assembling cables and wires for electronics, and at The Hello Company in Mayfield Heights (June–September 1996), managing a phone store—setting up accounts, scheduling service, and overseeing sales.
From March 1997 to April 2005, I served as a marketing rep for Vacation Resorts International in Bedford Heights, handling customer service calls and promotions. During that span, I briefly handled data entry at Trion Technologies (July–October 1997) and later joined Libra Industries in Mentor (October 1998–October 2000), where I assembled PC boards (soldering and wave soldering), managed materials control (kitting and auditing), and oversaw shipping and department staff.
I then returned to hands-on electronics at Qualtech Industries in Willoughby (December 2005–October 2009), mastering PC-board assembly, running Wave Solder and Board Wash machines (including maintenance and records), and ultimately supervising the entire department.
Education & Lifelong Learning
-
Eastlake North High School (1975–1978): College prep classes and three years of French.
-
Dale Carnegie Courses (1974–1975): How To Win Friends & Influence People and How To Stop Worrying and Start Living.
-
TRW-Sponsored Seminars (1979–1982): Time management, metallurgy, assertive management, computer basics, and experimental strategy.
-
Lakeland Community College (1981–present): Studies in Information Technology, Basic Metallurgy, advanced French, business software (Word Processing, Spreadsheets), Algebra, Physics, Accounting, and Real Estate Intensive (passed). Chose real estate investing over becoming an agent; paused investing ten years ago to care for my mom, with plans to return once personal matters settle.
-
Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online (May 2018–March 2019): I registered for the Associate Degree in Digital Photography, but the school closed March 8, 2019.
-
University of Art Institute of California: I continued my photography studies post-closure here.
New Chapters in Photography & Business Ventures
Around 2022, my cousin Carrie and I laid the groundwork for Windows Photography—our future portrait studio specializing in people and pet portraits (in-home, outdoor, parks, landmarks). We’re still raising the funds to form an LLC and purchase gear.
That same year, we launched into stock photography on Wirestock—sharing with Getty/iStock, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Mini Canvas, Dreamstime, and more (see my portfolio at wirestock.io/michael.a..buccilli). We’ve also established a print-on-demand presence via Printify (Windows Photography Merch), Etsy (WindowsPhotography), and Redbubble (WPMerchShop), with Amazon on the horizon.
Our hybrid sports/travel blog, The Roaming Photographer (based in Cleveland, Ohio), is live at thruoureyes2.blogspot.com. Carrie writes the sports articles; I write the travel features. I also oversee our photography, POD, and Amazon KDP ventures.
My true passion in photography is landscape and wildlife—I suffer from serious wanderlust and have a deep love for marine life. My bucket list includes traveling the world to capture dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, and all the wonders the sea has to offer.
Hobbies, Early Adventures & Scouting
-
Music & Dance: Guitar since age 8; love jazz, freestyle, and ballroom dance.
-
Digital Creativity: Research, gaming, and designing holiday/birthday cards on my computer.
-
Writing: Fiction novels, non-fiction work, poetry, short stories, and song lyrics.
-
Travel & Photography: Exploring cultures and photographing nature’s beauty.
-
Scouting & Early Tech: Active in 4-H, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts; joined Explorer Scouts at age 14 with Bailey Meter Corp in 1974, learning punch-card programming and even building a simple computer. I programmed it to “speak” French—despite the voices being rudimentary—which always amused my friends.
Every chapter—from hands-on technical work and creative ventures to education, business pursuits, and early scouting adventures—has woven together the story I continue to write.
Let’s connect: mbrenotes3@gmail.com
Cheers to the adventure!
