COUNTRY VS. TOWN: JOAN RAO-DOCKSTADER

Joan Rao-Dockstader is the oldest of five children and grew up in Long Island, New York. After graduating high school, she attended the State University of Delhi, located in upstate New York, where she obtained her Associate’s Degree in Business. Later on in life, Rao-Dockstader attended Nova Southeastern University and obtained a B.S. in Management.

After graduation, she moved to Harrison, New York, and started working as an Administrative Assistant for the Department of Mental Hygiene in White Plains, New York. After ten months she left and started working for Texaco Inc. in New York City, where she worked for 21 years in various positions, locations, and departments. She then moved on to working for a forensic accountant for ten years that related to high profile divorce cases until retiring.

Rao-Dockstader has been married to her husband, Jim, for 38 years this November. They enjoy traveling, hanging out with friends and family—and life has been good to them.

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Mantra Life is not finding yourself. Life is creating yourself Best Grooming Tip Always wear sunscreen Guilty Pleasure Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream Favorite Foods Italian and a good burger Music you Love Classic Rock, ’80s Best Advice Ever Given to You Actions have consequences Best Advice You Ever Given Actions have consequences and be true to yourself Earliest Memory Spending weekends with my grandparents and our trips to the Catskill Game Farm in upstate New York Before bed, You Pray What’s on Your Bookshelf Audio biographies, health, and travel books You can’t live without My husband, family, and friends Love to Escape to Florida to visit my family and friends and anywhere in Europe Advice you would give to yourself Life will have ups and downs (mostly ups in your case), but hang in there because it all works out. Always be true to yourself and remember actions have consequences, so think before you act/ make decisions. Always remember to keep your heart open and enjoy the journey of life.

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WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your Style is I dress based on my mood, always chic Can’t leave the house without Sunscreen, water bottle, and cell phone Transportation Infinity QX50 Driving music Classic Rock and ’80s Place to eat GiGi’s smash burger and crispy French fries. Also, Francesca’s Famiglia for lunch/dinner with friends Shop Elite Clothes for Men, Heinen’s, and Deer Park Town Center Best Thing about country Friendly people and it’s peacefulness Worst Thing about the country Traffic and freight trains The Perfect Day is Waking up having a cup of coffee, going to Orange Theory, running errands, talking to my family and friends, and being thankful for everything in my life

WHEN IN TOWN

Your Style is Chic Can’t leave the house without Water bottle, sunscreen, and cell phone Transportation Train Driving Music ’80s Place to Eat Anywhere (always like to try new places) Shop Michigan Avenue Best Thing About Town Love the architecture of the buildings (love taking visitors on Architectural Boat Tour), shopping, and the energy of the city Worst Thing about the Town The traffic and parking The Perfect Day Staying downtown, waking up, going to breakfast, and doing a little shopping