DATE: Thursday, October 2, 1997             TAG: 9710010188

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

SOURCE: Kathryn Darling 

                                            LENGTH:   85 lines

JEREMY STARKEY CHAIRMAN OF THE AMERICAN HEARTWALK

Jeremy Starkey's volunteer work with the American Heart Association became heart-felt community service last fall after his father had sextuple bypass surgery.

Community involvement was Starkey's initial motivation for serving on the association's Norfolk and Virginia Beach board, but when doctors' said his father had to have bypass surgery, Starkey and his family gained a new appreciation for the organization's educational services and its research funding.

The doctor provided them with information on the surgery's risks and benefits, and on lifestyle changes to be made during the recovery process.

Starkey's dad was out of the hospital in three days, back at work by Christmas and had lost 100 pounds in February - all a direct result of the information the American Heart Association had provided and the research they had funded.

``Fifteen or 20 years ago, bypass surgery was possible, but they didn't know enough to catch the problem's before a heart attack. And they certainly couldn't get you home in three days,'' said Starkey.

When the local chapter asked if Starkey, 25, would serve as volunteer chairman of the annual fund-raiser, American Heart Walk, the young banking executive didn't hesitate.

The American Heart Walk in South Hampton Roads will be held Oct. 26 at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. The three-mile walk begins at 1:30 p.m. Call 671-8636 for more information.

Name: Jeremy Russell Starkey

Nickname: None.

What brought you to Norfolk? My job with CENIT Bank.

Birthplace: I was born in Nassawadox and raised in Onancock.

Birthdate: May 30, 1972.

Occupation: Vice president financial district area executive.

Marital status: Single.

Children: None.

Last book read: ``Norfolk - The First Four Centuries,'' by Thomas Parramore.

Favorite movie: I'm a James Bond fan, but my favorite movie is ``Out of Africa.''

Favorite magazine: Sports Illustrated.

If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? My father, a district manager for a large paving and road construction company on the Eastern Shore. I think it would be a challenge for him to do my job and for me to see what he does. I think we'd build more mutual respect for what each other does.

Biggest accomplishment: It hasn't happened yet.

Most embarrassing moment: I get embarrassed when I confuse someone with someone else. I start a conversation only to find out they are not the person I thought they were.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I can do a lot of things, but it's hard to think of something I excel in, like sales or golf. I'd like to be the best in one thing. I'm a jack of all trades - master of none. I'd like to be a great golfer. Even though I've been playing since I was 5 years old, I'm just an average golfer.

Perfect way to spend the day: Playing golf while on vacation somewhere.

Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere in Europe. I just love the history. Williamsburg is cool . . . but visit Germany or England and you'll experience 1,300 years of history.

Pet peeve: Bad customer service.

First job: I had a small business cutting grass in my early teens, but my first job working for someone else was bagging and stocking shelves at Food City in Onancock. I was 14.

Worst job: I got a job working for a construction company one summer thinking I would learn some new skills. Instead, I was relegated to cleaning up trash at construction sites and driving the dump truck. I don't mind manual labor, but it was just menial and I didn't learn anything new on the job.

Hobbies: Golf, running, working out, racquetball, tennis and downhill skiing.

Favorite restaurants: Magnolia Steak, Cafe Rosso and Orapax.

What do you like most about Norfolk? It's a big city with all the big city amenities, but with a small town atmosphere. You can get to know people easily.

What do you like least about Norfolk? I don't like the amount of pollution in the Elizabeth, Lafayette rivers and the Hague. I run by there and walk by it, and it's pretty distressing. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON

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