If you were to ask Paul Hines how he felt about himself, he would give you a short and simple answer.
“I feel like I have a very charmed life,” Hines said. “I don't think that it can get much better than this.”
Hines’ contentment in life stems from his hometown of Valparaiso growing and becoming a city that he loves to be in. All of his family is here and he feels as if the town will be his home forever—except maybe when it is cold.
“I feel like this is a tight-knit, wonderful community,” Hines said. “Though I wouldn't mind ducking out for a little while when the snow falls.”
To match his love for his hometown, Hines has a lot of love and passion for his job. Working for Urschel Laboratories in Chesterton keeps him busy, though he would not change it for the world. His main job involves customer service, a great fit for Hines, who considers himself very much a people person.
“I love working and helping the people that I am with,” Hines said. “I am very passionate about what I do, I always want to do the best job that I can for others.”
Hines' favorite aspect of the job is the fact that he gets to travel all over the country. His job has taken him from coast to coast and everywhere in between. Hines loves to travel and is always excited to go somewhere new or old. He knows traveling can be hectic but he feels like he is always able to fight through it. However, there is one trip that sticks in the back of his head that did not go over too well.
“I was detained in the Calgary airport for almost three days,” Hines said. “I am not sure why it happened but I have not been back since.”
If you wanted to find something to talk about with Hines that did not involve work, you have three options that he could talk about for hours, the first one being baseball.
Hines has been a baseball fan for almost his entire life. An avid Chicago Cubs fan, he does not know where his love for the sport came from; it just sort of happened overnight. Every chance he gets, he takes a trip out to Arizona for Major League Baseball’s spring training, though he much prefers a more relaxed experience when it comes to baseball.
“I am one of the few who likes to watch it on tv rather than in person,” Hines said. “It feels a lot less hectic and more enjoyable for me at home.”
He’s also knowledgeable and enthusiastic about cars, thanks to the help of his brother. Since he was 10 years old, he has liked to fix cars and anything with a motor. He spent more time in his family's garage than anyone as a kid and even fixed up an old van that eventually became his first car. Now he owns four cars: two for practical purposes and two that are just for fun.
“My 1971 Camaro is my pride and joy,” Hines said. “My other one would have to be my 1973 Duvel, which I spent 14 years and so much money restoring it.”
Hines is also a fitness junkie. He started running with his daughter about five years ago and has been hooked ever since. He feels like running is a great way to clear his mind. He also spends as much time at his company’s gym as he can. Thanks to the easy access to working out, Hines feels like his stressful days are a thing of the past.
“No matter what happens throughout the day, good or bad, a workout is an instant way to get rid of a bad mood.”