Retire Ahead

Full article can be read here: http://www.blackmountain-ld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Retire-Ahead.pdf

Medical Career Blooms Into Landscape Design

He spent his first career as a perfusionist, operating a heart lung machine during open heart surgeries for 37 years. But Glenn Frey wanted less — and
more.

“I had a successful practice with two partners in San Diego but saw the need to slow down and do something I really enjoyed,” Frey recalls. “I went back to school to become a landscape designer and have thoroughly enjoyed the change.”

Today, Frey and his wife, Margee, own Black Mountain Landscape Design in San Diego’s North County that specializes in sustainable designs. “I am 66 years old, and have no intentions of retiring any time soon,” he says.

How did you decide to become a perfusionist?

I got my RN degree in Madison, Wis., in 1975 and received further training in New Orleans in 1977 to become a certified clinical perfusionist. I worked as a CCP in New Orleans and then San Diego. I formed a perfusionist group with two partners in San Diego in 2004.

How old were you when you decided to step back from a career in the medical field? And how did you land on the idea of landscape design?

I took my first class in landscape design in 2001 at the age of 49 … horticulture has always been in my blood. I love gardening and, as crazy as the job change sounds, it really made sense for me as I was following my passion. My wife is a nurse and was not happy with her job, so I convinced her to quit nursing in 2008 to become my partner to handle the marketing.

Where did you go to school for landscape design and how long did it take to complete the program?

I went to Cuyamaca College for Ornamental Horticulture (in California) with an emphasis in landscape design. It took six years to complete as I could only take one to two courses per semester. I was still a partner in a perfusion practice, had on-call responsibilities, and could only take classes in the evening. I started my landscape design business in 2007 and quit my perfusion practice in 2008.

Have there been any surprises about your new career? What do you like most? Least?

One surprise has been how diverse San Diego really is as far as the people and the communities in which they reside. I knew San Diego was diverse but not to the extent I am experiencing. It has been great fun meeting people from different cultures and with different tastes. I deal with very nice people and I am glad to leave the stress and hours of the operating room behind. There is very little I don’t like about the job, but sometimes a contractor needs a nudge during the installation phase. I do design only and then stay attached to the project through installation. Sometimes installations get bogged down when there is no need for a slowdown.

Do you have any advice for someone in their late 50s or older who is thinking about taking on a new career challenge at an age when many people just want to sit back and relax?

Definitely follow your passion because you have to do what you love doing. If you decide on a new career, do your homework and see what needs to be done in order to make the switch. If school is involved really think through the time commitment and where that places you once you graduate. If you start your own business, definitely come up with a realistic business plan and make sure you are going to have a cash flow that is adequate.