The major influences behind my written compositions stem from the intellectual, moral, and spiritual offerings of a few sterling thinkers. Socrates was one. He lived his life on his terms, inspiring others by assuring them that they already had answers to most issues within themselves. They needed only learn how to find them by questioning, questioning, and questioning. And to awaken their curiosity, he left them and the world with this brilliant summation: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” When ordered by the city elders to end his teachings, he chose death over dishonor. Galileo caught my attention when he took issue with his church that had a stranglehold on science and free-thinking. He discovered moons in orbit around Jupiter, and reported them against the church’s directives that had asserted they, alone, were the source of all knowledge. He was brought before the Inquisition and ordered to recant or face death. Galileo spent the rest of is life under house arrest. Still, he said: “I refuse to believe that the same God who gave us sense and reason intended us to forego their use.” Much later, along came Horace Mann. Like Socrates he grew up in poverty, excelled in law and as a legislator before becoming the first president of Antioch College in Ohio. He also looked beyond his students when he challenged them: “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” Bertrand Russell elevated my quest to find clarity in expository writing. He is one philospher who knew how to write well. Rudyard Kipling was simply a brilliant writer that anyone would do well to read. His poem “If” soars with inspiration. An obscure poet, George Linneaus Banks, penned a jewel with “What I Live For.” I was asked to memorize and recite it way back in the 3^rd grade. I never forgot it. I even wrote one with the same title. I think it ranks among my best efforts, thanks to George Banks. Emma Lazarus’ poem, “The New Colossus,” at the base of the Statue of Liberty is so good it must have been inspired by heaven. The same can be said for “America the Beautiful” by Katherine Lee Bates. It soars past the “Star Spangled Banner.” Carl Sagan had the most influence on my educational efforts. He was the best teacher in my lifetime. His short discourse “Pale Blue Dot” is a masterpiece—in originality, inspiration, and rhetorical brilliance. But the most profound thought that stays with me always was written by an anonymous person: “The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.”  

Ph.D. Ohio University
Retired, U.S. Air Force
George Washington Honor Medal, Freedoms Foundation
Who's Who in the East
Who's Who in Finance & Industry
International Who's Who in Poetry Gold Award and Editor's Choice Award

I've authored two books entitled "The New American Challenge" and "Poems for a Rainy Day." The first describes how to make wiser economic choices, while the second is a collection of poems that fairly represents my sentiments on many emotions and pursuits. Just for Show Off purposes: I was on the Dean's list for every semester at Park College. Was designated a Presential Scholar. Graduated Summa Cum Laude. Completed my entire PhD program in 2 years, 10 months, a school record at the time. Received 25 awards and decorations from the US Air Force. Achieved the highest rating in the highest-rated career field in the US Force. Manager of a Metrology Laboratory. Became the Metrology Labs manager at Bell Aerospace. Wrote 13 papers for the Government/Industry Data Exchange Program. Was the Chief Investment Officer for a private firm responsible for portfolio development for 800 private accounts totaling $500 million.

New American Challenge
This is a tale of freedom--to think, to choose, and to achieve at our potential. Without them, we are ineffective. With them, we can literally change the world.

Poems for a Rainy Day
This is a collection of about 200 of my best poems based on my readers' comments.