Professional Background

I have a strong background in architectural design, fine arts and construction.    I have been a Residential Building Designer for over thirty years and am a Professional Member of the American Institute of Building Design.  I have designed houses from the coast of Maine to Australia. My designs have been the recipient of more than a dozen design awards and houses I have created have been published in more than 20 magazine articles. 

I believe any design professional should be very knowledgeable of the construction process and have had first hand experience in building structures.  This experience helps create designs that not only look great, but also function well and a contractor can build without significant on site redesigns.  I have worked in the trades as a mason, carpenter, cabinet maker, general contractor and furniture maker.

I am an award winning and exhibiting artist and a member of the New Hampshire Art Association and the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists.

                                               Personal Background

I grew up in Staten Island, NY where in the mid '60's I got to experience the worst in residential design and land destruction.  We had spent our summer vacations in NH for many years and moved there permanently in 1968.  I graduated high school in 1972 and attended Portland School of Art (now Maine College of Art) and graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in 1977 with a Bachelors of Art Degree in Fine Art with a focus on Photography, Pottery and Painting. 

I was introduced to Star Island, one of the nine islands of the Isles of Shoals, in 1974 and applied there for a job the following year.  Star Island is a religious and educational conference center located on a 40 acre island 10 miles out from Portsmouth NH.  My first job was as a night watchman in 1975 and then as carpenter from 1976 through the fall of 1981. I would spend the spring, summer and early fall on the Island and then come back to the mainland and do ski instructing or carpentry through the winter until it was time to go back to the island the next spring. 

Right after I left the Island in 1981 I was diagnosed with Cancer.  Surgery and radiation followed and I spent the winter of 1981-2 teaching Cross Country skiing trying to get healthy and back into shape.  It was during this time that I noticed a young woman coming into the touring center a few afternoons a week, she would go out for a ski and come back in for a drink or lunch.  I fell in love, Carole and I were married in 1983, Ryan was born in 1986 and Drew in 1988.  

1983 was the same year I started working as a residential designer for Yankee Barn Homes.  I worked with Yankee Barn for 26 years.

I am still very involved with the Star Island Corporation, volunteering on a number of committees, I have served on the Board of Directors and finished my nine year term as the Vice President.  My Cancer past has led me to spend many years working for Cancer causes, like the American Cancer Societies Relay for Life and the Norris Cotton Cancer Centers Prouty where each July I ride the 100 mile bike ride through northern NH and VT.  I am a Boy Scout leader currently co chair of the adult committee  and also a member of the First Baptist Church of New London having served on a number of committees there.  I am also currently on the Board of Trustees for the Tracy Memorial Library for the Town of New London and have been the chairperson of the towns Recreation Committee.