This week, we meet Neal Davis, executive director of the Johnston County Council on Aging - the nonprofit that runs the county's public-transit program, senior centers, home-delivered meals and other programs.

A native of New Bern, Davis is a graduate of Pitt Technical Institute. He's been self-employed for much of his career with a number of business ventures.

"Now that I'm here at the Council on Aging, I believe my proudest accomplishment is just unfolding," he said. "I love the business development part of this job but also feel a 'calling' to serve our elderly. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity."

Davis lives north of Four Oaks with his wife, Lorine Lassiter Davis. They have three grown children.

What CDs and musicians have you been listening to lately? I like Huey Lewis a lot. My country roots are bluegrass, and so Alison Krauss is a favorite. Having grown up near the coast in New Bern, I also love beach music. I have many fond memories of the Pavilion at Atlantic Beach (now long gone) where the Embers were just getting started. I have a 1966 Wurlitzer jukebox in my game room loaded with original 45s, all beach.

What book or books are you currently reading? My preference is technical journals and documentaries. Lately, I have been reading Michael J. Fox's book "Always Looking Up." I also like Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation," and am a huge admirer of our World War II veterans.

What is your favorite television show? For entertainment it would be "American Idol." High-definition video and surround sound make musical shows on TV very enjoyable. After that, it's Science Channel and Discovery Channel. I've seen every documentary about the construction of the Hoover Dam and have visited the dam at least twice. My family says I'm addicted to that stuff.

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would you dine with? First, I really enjoy Sunday night dinners with my family. We sit at the formal dining table, and it's a special time together. I would enjoy having dinner with Richard Helms, former director of the CIA. I grew up during the Cold War, just as satellites and other technologies began to enable lots of information to be gathered. Analyzing all that information must have been fascinating work. Weird huh? I have become very interested in genealogy, and so next, I would like to have dinner with my fifth great-grandfather, John Wright Stanly of New Bern. He owned a fleet of ships and became a privateer for the government during the American Revolution. Lastly, I would love to have dinner with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.

Describe a perfect day. I thrive on business-development opportunities. I also enjoy coming to work with an agenda that includes a challenge or two. I get great satisfaction from solving a problem, especially when it benefits someone else like an employee or client. When I get home after one of these days, I like to relax and reflect.

What is the most fascinating place you've been to? My wife and I traveled to Athens, Greece, a few years ago. The highlight of the trip was a cruise around the Aegean Sea. Santorini is one of the most beautiful islands I've ever seen.

What do you most like about Johnston County? Fresh out of the Army, I came to Johnston County in 1972 to work for Sylvania. I was immediately attracted to the rolling Piedmont countryside (New Bern is very flat). I was treated warmly and quickly fell in love with the area. Met a local girl and the rest is history.

What do you least like about Johnston County? I dislike mean-spirited people, and they are not unique to Johnston County.

What is something that some may be surprised to know about you? From 1970 to 1972, I worked as a recording engineer in Hollywood, California. I visited Don Knotts' home many times to record segments. He loved that I was from North Carolina. I also did a lot of engineering work at Wolfman Jack's home studio. He was a wild man when he was on the radio but a very regular guy when he wasn't. I loved the experience but was happy to leave the smog and congestion behind.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? Why? I am told that I snore, but I have no proof.

What is your most embarrassing moment? I used to fly quite a bit. On one of my trips to Ocracoke with my family, I knew I had to refuel in Beaufort on the return leg. Pilots are trained to calculate their fuel burn rather than to rely on gauges. But while we were way out over Pamlico Sound, I reached over and tapped my fuel gauge. It was sitting on 'Empty,' and I thought it just might be stuck. It wasn't, and my family has never let me forget the scare I gave them. We landed in Beaufort with 30 minutes of fuel still on board, just as I had calculated.

What is the one food you can't resist? Shrimp - I love them every way they can be served. My dad and I used to pull a shrimp trawl in Dawson's Creek and haul them in by the bushel. We always had shrimp in the freezer. I still try to keep plenty on hand.

Compiled by Colin Campbell