The Full McDowell: Can Frank McDowell Take Home Mr. Fountain Valley Crown?

As the CEO of , Frank McDowell has had to endure the ups and downs of the housing market--something too scary for most mere mortals. But sub-prime mortgages and upside-down houses are nothing compared to what he saw at the Mr. Huntington Beach pageant. As he prepares to compete in this Friday's , he shared his thoughts with Fountain Valley Patch.

How did you end up competing in the pageant?

I was talked into it by one of my agents, and honestly i didn't really know what it was all about. But I did attend the Mr. Huntington Beach event, and once I saw that, I thought, 'I wish I wouldn't have volunteered for this.' But I'm in, and here I am. The guy that won the Mr. Huntington Beach pageant was a 19-year-old kid, and he happened to be very talented. The guy could really dance, and he was funny, and he was good. That's not going to be me.

What is something you that might surprise people at the pageant?

People are probably going to see a side of me they've never seen, and that they really don't want to remember. In my talent part -- because I really have no talent in terms of singing or dancing or anything like that -- I'm going to do a strip. That's what people want to see -- a 68-year-old stripper.

Tell us about your charity and why it's a worthy cause.

I am representing Colette's Children's Home. In the real estate industry, we've collected money for them in the past, so I know them. They're a good charity. They help homeless women and children get back on their feet. So it's a good charity.

What's your strategy for the night of the pageant?

I'm hoping that everybody, including myself, will be very drunk, and we'll get through it. I'm looking forward to May 19 -- the day after.

Who would you like to see compete in future Mr. Fountain Valley pageants, and why?

I can't give you any names, but anybody who I don't like. This is not something that personally I've ever done before, or will ever do again. But it should be fun.