Staff Resumes

My childhood was filled with exploration of the plant and animal kingdom. My experience grew working first in a pet shop, then for veterinarians practicing small and large animal medicine and surgery.

I am a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Agriculture ‘71 and DVM ’74
degree. For four years, I rowed on Lake Cayuga as a member of the Cornell Crew team and was honored to be named Commodore of the 1971 team. I have practiced since 1974 beginning in mixed practices then focusing on small and exotic animal practice. Over the years, I have been privileged to meet a wide variety of the animal kingdom from tiny to gargantuan, scaled, feathered, shelled and haired! I have served a variety of SW Florida organizations including Board of Directors of the Calusa Nature Center during the time fundraising and development of the Planetarium was taking place; one of the founders of the SW Florida Marine Mammal Stranding Network and Lee County Animal Disaster Preparedness and Response Effort (ADPRE) for which significant portions of disaster preparedness literature and shelters was personally authored and shared State-wide; multiple offices of The Caloosa Veterinary (Medical) Society; president of the Edison Inventors Association; and the Thomas A. Edison Regional Science and Inventors Fairs (TAERSIF).

Besides veterinary practice, I run a new products development business and help
others in bringing their ideas to market. Regenerative medicine holds a special interest for me. I was privileged to assist a regenerative medicine company for a six-year period in developing and testing canine, equine and human growth factor and plasma protein products.

If asked what I would like to share with people it comes down to two key components: “The Power of One”! The profound influence one person can have during his or her life; second, the importance of having a purpose in life. Purpose leads to fulfillment.

I served 17 years as president of the Edison Inventors Association producing a monthly newsletter for the entire period and reaching out across the U.S. to bringing leaders in their fields to Southwest Florida for both the EIA and the Thomas A Edison Regional Science and Inventors Fairs. Several product introductions of my own as well as serving as a facilitator for others became a natural extension of this effort. I have been blessed with sharing time with remarkable researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs from a wide range of disciplines.

Many of those years, I addressed upward of 3,000 students annually in the classroom, libraries, and other venues. My program introduced students K thru 12 and beyond . . . to creative thinking and problem solving. It did not stop there. Specifics of the process of developing an idea into a product, manufacturing,
marketing, business creation and licensing options are covered, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the appropriate age of the audience.

For more than three decades, I have maintained a voluntary leadership administrative role in the Thomas A Edison Regional Science and Inventors Fairs. This has grown to a very significant size involving over 20,000 students annually preceding the introduction of teaching to State Standards. The scholarship program alone for these programs had approached $750,000 annually.

I continue to dedicate my time to the Fairs, recently retired from veterinary practice, enjoy working out and working with bromeliads. I have been happy married to my wife, BJ, whose creative and artistic talents have enriched my own pursuits.

• have a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from the University of Connecticut and have a CPA certification (but no license in Florida).
• I worked as an auditor at KPMG in Stamford, CT for 4 years followed by 24 years at Gartner rising through the accounting team from Senior Accountant to Corporate Controller. I held that role for almost 8 years when I retired in February 2022.

• 2015 – present Bishop Verot High School Ft. Myers, Fl
• 1995-2015 St. Michael Lutheran School Ft. Myers, Fl
• 1982-1994 St. Michael Lutheran School Ft. Myers, Fl
• High School Science Teacher
• Professional Development Committee Membe
• Faculty Retreat Committee Member
• St. Cecilia Community Leader
• Environmental Club Moderator
• SGA Moderator
• Science Specialist/Dept. Chair – SMLS
• School Science Fair Coordinator – SMLS
• Regional Science Fair Coordinator for TAERSIF
• State Science Fair Coordinator for TAERSIF
• NJHS Council – SMLS
• Stem Team Advisor – SMLS
• Florida Teaching Certificate
• NSTA Member
• FAST Area 9 Director
• TAERSIF Committee Member
• PLT Faculty Coordinator – SMLS
• PLT Facilitator
• Chess Club Advisor – SMLS
• Emergency Management Volunteer for Lee County
• Lutheran Early Response Volunteer for LCMS
• PTP Science Education Delegate to China
• PTP Science Education Delegate to Cuba
• BVHS Teacher of the Year
• SMLS Golden Apple Teacher of the Year
• Fl Ga Lutheran Schools – Middle School Teacher of the Year
• Fl Middle School Ag Teacher of the Year

Recent Grants Received

• Monarch Watch
• Ag in the Classroom
• PLT Green Schools
• Ding Darling
• CHNEP
• Florida Forestry for a workshop
• UF Plant Camp for a workshop
• Florida Humanities Council for a workshop – three times
• National Endowment for the Humanities – twice

Recent Pilot Programs

• Everglades Foundation Carbon Sinks and Sources Curriculum
• Everglades Foundation the Carbon Cycle and the Everglades
• National PLT Green Schools Curriculum
• UF/PLT Exotic Species Curriculum
• U.S. Sailing Association – Project REACH

Education

• Master of Science (M.S) Graduated May 2013 – University of Central Florida Orlando, FL – Major: Materials Science / Engineering
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Graduated December 2009 – University of Central Florida Orlando, FL – Major: Mechanical Engineering

Work Experience

• Senior Director April 2023-Present – Welbro Maitland, FL
• Estimator June 2016 – April 2023 – Charles Perry Partners Inc. Oviedo, FL
• Chief Operating Officer January 2011 – Present – Community Effort Orlando, Inc. Orlando, FL
• Board of Directors September 2019 – Present – Pure Technology Inc. New York City, NY
• Parkinson’s Glove Patent Awarded December 2004 – Obtained U.S. Patent on a device that stabilized hand/arm tremors in Parkinson’s disease patients.
• Edison Fairs Inc. – Board of Directors Jan 2022 – Present