I married my wife, Robin, in 1982, in Robin’s hometown of Flagstaff, AZ. We currently live in Colleyville, TX, and have four grown children; Amanda, James, Amelia, and Jayne. I became a follower of Jesus Christ in July 2005 at the age of 48. I graduated in 2016 with a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, with an emphases in biblical exegesis and exposition. Robin and I attend church in North Richland Hills, Texas. Please feel free to contact me directly and to ask for more information. The following paragraphs will provide you with a brief look at the familial, educational, and professional dimensions of my life, which lead up to my conversion experience in 2005.
My father was born and raised in Gracemont, Oklahoma and my mother was born and raised in Milano, Italy. They met in Italy while my father served in the U.S. Army. Along with my two brothers and two sisters, I was born and raised in Fresno, CA, where I also attended the public schools. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Fresno State University in 1979 and my Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1980. I am a licensed professional engineer in the State of California and a member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance Association.
After finishing my engineering studies I worked for 33 years with the Santa Fe Railway Company, which merged in 1995 with Burlington Northern Railroad. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company operates one of the largest rail systems in North America, with 32,500 route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces.
I started my professional career as a summer intern with the Santa Fe Railway Company in 1978-79 while still studying civil engineering at Fresno State and UC Berkeley. I held many field operations positions in the railroad’s Engineering and Transportation Departments and relocated with my family ten times. In August 2004 I became BNSF’s Regional Vice President of the North Region (Chicago to the Pacific Northwest and Canada). In June 2006 I became BNSF’s Chief Engineer of the South Region (Chicago to CA and the Gulf of Mexico), leading a workforce of approximately 3500 men and an annual budget exceeding $1B. I retired from the railroad in May 2012.
I invite you to read the full story of my conversion to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ in my blog series titled Testimony.