Bio

Profile

1. Ardent student of religion, philosophy and positive psychology for over 30 years. 
    
   • Member of Jewish synagogues; and a lay leader, teacher of adult studies, director of children education, and lay speaker in over ten different Christian protestant denominational churches. 
   • Many courses were based on material I have created for the church, including topics as the History of the Bible, the History of the Reformation, etc.
   • Islamic studies include the Koran and Hadiths, as well as participation in Islamic sponsored interfaith peace mission to Turkey.
   • Worship experience include mosques; Baha’i, Hindu and Sikh temples; Episcopal, Catholics and Pentecostal churches. 
   • Various spiritual retreats have included Protestant, Catholic and Buddhist traditions. 
   • From 2005-2010, was heavily involved with the New Thought Movement (Unity, Religious Science, etc.) and gave lectures on the Kabala and Religious Science principles.
   • Received training from Duke Divinity School and One Spirit Interfaith Seminary.
   • Involvement in local interfaith dialogue events.

   Most recently, have created a systematic approach to spiritual development and maintain a blog at Mind and Spirit. My broad base of religious knowledge and experience provides a unique insight into the spiritual journey that I bring to my teaching.

2. Experienced public speaker who brings humor and passion into education and motivational talks.  
   • Member of Toastmasters – 2008-2011. VP Membership,    2008-2009; 2009
   • 2^nd Place Area Contest –humorous speech. 
   • Completed both Competent Communication and Competent Leadership programs.

3. Intermediate-advanced guitar player of 40+ years. Preferential musical style is rock/hard rock/melodic metal. Played for various churches over the decades (though in milder genres!). Currently not in a band and am available to jam!
4. Cinephile for over 50+ years. Studied Film theory in college, and took video editing courses. Designed own home theater back in 2005 when it was not a common household name. Lover of films from 1900 to present!
5. Senior Information Technology Professional with proven success in achieving business objectives by presenting a holistic picture of how related processes and tools work together. Consistent track record of providing leadership, initiative, quality training programs, and implementing projects within time and budget. Extensive experience working with all geographies; translating end user needs into IT requirements; and negotiating between multiple groups to reach common goals. Skilled in ensuring solutions meet business needs while conforming to IT architecture and overall CIO strategies; and creating and ensuring compliance of IT standards. Expertise includes:
   • Customer Support
   • Customer Education
   • IT Standards Compliance
   • Application Portfolio Management
   • Application Development Methodology
   • Systems Architecture
   • Working in Global and Remote Environments

Education

• B.S. in Computer Science,   Rutgers College, US 1978
• M. Div, Duke Divinity, US 1993 (incomplete)
• Princeton Seminary, Lay School of Theology, 1987 Study of Luke – Acts
• One Spirit Interfaith Seminary, US 2010 (elective courses)
• Various self-study courses from Great Teachers corporation, including titles such as “no excuses – the existential movement”, “Nietzsche’s will to power,” “A history of philosophy”, “Becoming a great teacher,” etc.

Career

• Senior Systems Analyst, IBM.  1978-2011.

Other

• Durham Humans Relations Commissioner, 2008
• Nominated to participate in 10 day interfaith (Jewish/Christian/Muslim) peace mission trip to Turkey in 2008, which was made into a documentary.
• Comedy Improv class at DSI Comedy Theater  in Carrboro, NC, 2010.
• Attended “The Great Emergence” seminar by Phyllis Tickle, at Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, 2011.
• Provided material for book “”Basic Spiritual Principles” by Steven J. Gold, 2011.