THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 6, 1996 TAG: 9603050072
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Give Leslie Creech a fast motorcycle and a fancy fishing boat when the marlins are biting and he's a happy guy.
While those are a couple of his current passions, it wasn't always so. Creech rode dirt bikes when he was in his 20s and stopped riding altogether until about three years ago when he up and decided to buy another bike.
And deep sea fishing wasn't always a favorite, either. Creech grew up bottom bouncing in the Chesapeake Bay until one day in 1976 when he took his first marlin trip. He was hooked.
But it is his involvement with a youth program called ``Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs'' that gives him the most satisfaction. The 5-year-old program gets elementary children to write essays on the evils of drugs. Winners participate in a fishing contest and those winners earn a deep-sea fishing trip.
Full name: Leslie Creech.
Hometown: Virginia Beach.
What brought you to the Beach? Mom and Dad (we moved from Norfolk when I was 4).
Birthdate: Oct. 2, 1950.
Occupation: Insurance executive for W. Taylor Johnson Co. Inc.
Nickname: Not suitable for print.
Marital status: Married to Lisa for 14 years.
Children: Erin, 12.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Fishing or motorcycle riding with friends.
Last smart thing you did: Hired Chris and Mark to take care of my yard.
Last dumb thing you did: Got caught in the rain with Sam on our motorcycles in Stuart, Fla.
Favorite meal: Spaghetti with meat sauce.
Favorite movies: ``Top Gun'' and ``Father of the Bride.''
Favorite song: ``Can You Feel the Love Tonight,'' Elton John.
Last book read: ``How to Keep the Kids You Love off of Drugs.''
Hobbies: Fishing, motorcycle riding and NASCAR races.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To have a better relationship with my brothers and sisters.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? For her to be more patient with Erin and me.
Favorite sport: Marlin fishing.
Favorite restaurant: Virginia Steak House and Rockafellers.
Your favorite night on the town: Dinner at Rockafellers.
Secret vice: No secrets. What you see is what you get.
Favorite TV shows: ``Friends,'' ``Wings'' and ``Saltwater Fishing with Dr. Jim.''
Pets: None.
Last vacation: Palm Beach, Fla.
Worst job: Laborer for a roofing company (it lasted one day).
Of what achievements are you most proud? My daughter, my involvement with the ``Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs'' program and being a member of the Drug Advisory Council for city public schools.
What would you like as your epitaph? He worked hard, played hard, loved hard and made a small difference. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
by CNB