Aaron LaPedis

=Aaron LaPedis=
==Bio==
Aaron LaPedis is an American author, collector, radio host, and philanthropist in Denver, Colorado. Born on September 29th, 1965 in Redwood City, CA, Aaron is a gallery owner with an interest in fine art and memorabilia. Aaron was raised by Sundi and Ed LaPedis. At the age of 3, Aaron moved to Colorado. He attended Manual High School in Denver, CO. He then attended University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated in the year 1989 with a Bachelor of the Arts with an emphasis on criminology. He has a wonderful wife, Sandee, and a fantastic son, Logan, who is on the spectrum of autism.Aaron LaPedis, In-Person Interview
==Career==
In 1990, LaPedis opened Fascination St. Fine Art, a brick-and-mortar retail gallery focusing on artwork and sculptures.
LaPedis was given the opportunity to have his own television show on the local Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting System's (PBS) stations. In May of 2001, "Collectibles with Aaron" and "The Collectibles Show" was born and aired in Colorado for the first time. Aaron has taped more than fifty half-hour segments focusing on the diverse world of collecting, including: coins, wine, fine art, animation, and sports memorabilia. This development led to the creation of his own show "Collect This!". 
In 2012, Wiley Publishing printed LaPedis's personal finance book, The Garage Sale Millionaire, a self-help guide to making a profit from collectibles and garage sale finds.
That same year, LaPedis was a monthly columnist for The Denver Post from February to August 2012, commonly writing articles with insights on finance and business.
Surrounding the publication of his book The Garage Sale Millionaire, LaPedis made several media appearances, including the Discovery Channel’s Curiosity program segment, “America’s Price Tag: What’s America Worth?” and The Hallmark Channel's “Home and Family” show.
In March of 2016, LaPedis published the first book in his children's book series, A Boy Named Penguin. The fictional series, loosely based on his son's experience with autism, was created to raise awareness and acceptance of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The second book in the series, A Boy Named Penguin: The Mystery of the Albino Calf, was picked up by Mascot Publishing and received the 2017 Silver Nautilus Award. Colorado Authors' League selected the third book in the series, A Boy Named Penguin: Different is the New Perfect, as a 2019 finalist in the Children's Picture Book category. Aaron’s newest addition to the series is his fourth book, A Boy Named Penguin: Finding Happy! which tackles the challenges of mental health in a way kids can understand. Finding Happy! was the recipient of Nautilus Silver Award 2019 and CIPA EVVY 3rd Place 2020.
LaPedis's art gallery was nominated for Denver Business Journal's 2020 Small Business Awards based on the company's awards and recognition, community achievements and involvement, and contributions to their industry.
Along with running his Gallery, LaPedis is currently a radio host for 710 KNUS AM, where he talks with Steffan Tubbs on The Steffan Tubbs Show podcast.
==Outreach==
Since opening in 1990, LaPedis has donated over $1.5 million to various charities through his gallery.
In 2016, LaPedis received the Invisible Disabilities Association's Volunteer Award for his contributions to charities such as the ALS Association, ARC of Colorado, The Autism Society, the American Heart Association and the National MS Society.
Half of the proceeds from LaPedis's second children's book, A Boy Named Penguin: The Mystery of the Albino Calf were donated to the Autism Society of Colorado.
LaPedis frequently hosts fundraisers out of his gallery in Denver, CO for a variety of different causes.
==Books==	
* A Boy Named Penguin and His Great Adventures (Attila Publishing, 2016), ISBN 0997249307
* A Boy Named Penguin: The Mystery of the Albino Calf (Mascot Books, 2018), ISBN 0692984453 
* A Boy Named Penguin: Different Is the New Perfect (Mascot Books, 2020), ISBN 0578440881 
* A Boy Named Penguin: Finding Happy (Mascot Books, 2020), ISBN 0983153817
==Awards==
* Invisible Disabilities Association’s Volunteer Award – 2016
* Finalist in Colorado League of Authors Award – A Boy Named Penguin & His Great Adventures - 2017
* Silver Nautilus Award – A Boy Named Penguin: Mystery of the Albino Calf – 2017
* CIPA EVVY Award – Merit Place for A Boy Named Penguin: Mystery of the Albino Calf – 2019
* Best Children’s Picture Book Award from Colorado League of Authors – A Boy Named Penguin: Different is the New Perfect – 2019
* Silver Nautilus Award – A Boy Named Penguin: Finding Happy! – 2019
* CIPA EVVY Award - 3rd place for A Boy Named Penguin: Finding Happy! – 2020
* Nominated for Denver Business Journal Small Business Award – 2020
Category:1965 births
Category:People from Redwood City, California
Category:American people
Category:Author
Category:Collectors
Category:Radio presenters