Jay and Susan Maher
Jay and Susan Maher of Barrington, Ill. own Central Specialties Ltd., a company comprised of Kiddie Kab Strollers, a leading provider of commercial strollers to shopping malls, department stores, and amusement parks; and CSL Food Service and Hospitality, a supplier of tray stands, luggage racks, and similar products to the foodservice and hospitality industries. Jay is president while Susan is marketing director.
he couple met on the campus in Carthage, Ill., and experienced the College's relocation to Kenosha. They married five months after Susan graduated in 1967. Jay spent six years on active duty in the U.S. Navy and another 22 years in the Naval Reserve. During this time, Jay worked in the plastics industry, while Susan was active in community service, heading a fingerprinting program for children and developing the Officer Friendly and Safety Town programs. They also raised three boys. Jay retired as a Captain in the Naval Reserve in 1991. The couple purchased Central Specialties Ltd. the following year.
"The ever-changing dynamics of our business requires us to learn everyday. We're constantly innovating in order to lead or keep pace," Jay says. "Staying active, engaged, and challenged are important keys to staying young."
For Susan, maintaining a natural curiosity is essential. "If you are open to learning, you will stay young in your enthusiasm, which will radiate throughout other areas of your life," she says. "Staying curious requires discipline because it gets harder as you get older. Take classes, travel and read, especially those works that offer different perspectives."
The Mahers enjoy taking educational trips. "You can't help but learn when you travel," Susan say. "You discover that there isn't just one way to live a wonderful life." Last year the couple traveled to Israel and toured Eilat, the Golan Heights, and Jerusalem.
Susan remains active in the life of the College, helping with festivities honoring the 40th anniversary of Pi Theta, an organization she helped establish on campus. "I believe in the value of a liberal arts education. We need to understand the ideas and points of view of others, if we are to communicate effectively and get along as a society."