ABOUT ME

I'm new at Lehigh, so this section is simply here so people get to know a little bit about me, my background, what I like, what I do in my spare time, etc.  If you have any common interests, drop me a line!

 
Places I've worked
  • Lehigh University
    LTS Helpdesk Assistant - My current position.
  • Rodale, Inc
    Business Analyst - Magazine production support, sales force automation.
  • Entré Computer of Wyomissing
    Systems Installation and Service.
  • Weidenhammer Systems Corporation
    Systems Installation and Service.
  • Penn State University
    Library Services, Audio-Visual Services, Computer Room Manager.

 
Volunteer Organizations
  • Scouting, B. S. A.
    • Troop 529, Gibraltar: My Home Troop since 1970
      I own and operate this web site for the Troop.  I've been an assistant Scoutmaster with T-529 for over 20 years.  I am a Silver Beaver recipient in Hawk Mountain Council, and have served on many training staffs including Woodbadge.  I have been to Philmont twice, the Florida Seabase 4 times, including one trip to the Bahamas. My Scouting Resume details my involvement.
  • Order of the Arrow, B. S. A.
    • Kittatinny Lodge 5: Hawk Mountain Council, B. S. A.
      I own this web site, but co-edit/advise it with youth staff of the Lodge.  I am a Vigil member and currently advisor for the lodge publication and web site.  I have held other advisorships previously.  I have attended numerous section conclaves and also a few NOAC's.

 
Recreation
  • Orienteering - Running around in the woods with a map and compass trying to find things.  Orienteering is an international sport.  I belong to the largest Orienteering club in the country, the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association (DVOA).  To find out more about orienteering, visit the US Orienteering Federation (USOF) site or the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) site.
  • Sailing - Not too many lakes around here, and I don't have a sailboat, which makes it tough for sailing, but see my Thailand Trip notes below. I used to sail with the Blue Marsh Sailing Club near Reading, and recently passed my US Sailing basic keelboat certificate from Offshore Sailing School.
  • SCUBA - I am a PADI certified open-water diver. I actually learned SCUBA at Lehigh through a program offered by my previous employer, Rodale.  Since then I have logged some bottom time locally at Dutch Springs and also in the Florida Keys.
  • Cycling - Road bike / Mountain bike.  Pick one.  I haven't been putting too many mile son in the last few years. I should probably change that.
  • Canoe/Kayaking - I own a touring kayak and from time to time put it on the Schuylkill or Delaware for some casual paddling.  I am in the process of selling my whitewater boat since I have used it little since purchasing it.

 
Hobbies
  • Genealogy
    • Paternal: PIPER (Arrived from England to Northampton Co between 1871-1874)
    • Maternal: BITLER (Arrived from Germany to Berks Co around 1735)

 
Travels
  • Florida Keys: Scuba diving for a week (Scout trip)
  • C&O Canal: 184 mile biking/camping trip across Maryland (Scout trip)
  • Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore: 2 month adventure by air, land, and yacht in and around southern Thailand, Bangkok, Malaysia, and Singapore.
  • North Carolina: Reach the two highest peaks east of the Mississippi (the easy way).
     
  • Casual Travel Goal - Reach as many of the 50 US State Highest Points as possible.