A lot of people have asked me about my background and what experiences have brought me to this point in time.

I ask myself the same question all the time!

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I like to think of myself as a full-time Amateur Astronomer now, who used to drive a truck for a living!

I retired in  2022 after 28 years of running around the GTA in a tractor trailer, picking up and delivering general freight (LTL P&D), while trying to be an Amateur Astronomer.

I've done a couple of other things as well.

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I'm a lifelong Space and Science geek. 

I grew up in the early 60's with Redstone rockets, and the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions.

My heroes were those fearless astronauts and I ate up all the new technology and discoveries that the 60's could throw at a young kid.

My youth was filled with Lasers, UFO's, Star Trek, Bugs Bunny and, the Beatles. When the Ontario Science Centre opened in the fall of '69 (after the Moon landing!), I spent all my spare time there with my other geek friends. Even  then, I knew I  wanted to work in a Science Museum!

Later that school year, our Science teacher took a group of us for my first visit to the David Dunlap Observatory, and I was awe struck, this was science in action!

My fate was sealed it seems.

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In High School I joined the Stage Crew, (and played around  in the beautiful auditorium at Northern Secondary in Toronto),  and took all the vocational shops that Northern had to offer. Here I learned all the basics of what would eventually be my life as a professional geek and overall tech guy. I left school in the early 70's and started working for rock & roll  bands (Yep, a Roadie!). I could fix anything, set up the PA, mix the sound, hook up and run run the lights,  and drive the truck as well. I worked with bands all around Toronto, on the famous Yonge St. strip, and I toured Ontario and the rest of Canada. 

In the late 70's, I landed at Westbury Sound & Lighting, a major supplier of sound, lighting and production support.

In the ensuing years I did a lot of hard work, honing my skills in electrical and lighting systems, all aspects of rigging and lifting, electronic and electrical design and repair, and as well, we toured with all types of shows, across North America, Asia, and Europe. 

We designed and built lighting controls and dimmers, audio processors, speaker systems, and rigging control systems. Whatever it took, we did it.

We even did sound for 300,000 people at Downsview for the Pope in 1984!.

I had the pleasure of working with some really great shows and tours, and most importantly, with some really great people, doing what we all really loved to do.

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In 1988 I landed my dream job, at Science North , in Sudbury, ON.

I was the A/V Technologist and the resident lighting specialist as well.

I helped maintain all the automated theatres (Film and Slide projectors back then!) and I apprenticed on the twin 70mm Stereo 3D projectors. I also got to help build and install a  custom built 3D Laser projection system as well . (you got it "Laser Pink Floyd"!).  I completely redesigned and installed all the exhibit lighting for the facility resulting in significant energy savings and reduced maintenance.

We produced our own 3D Stereo film, Shooting Star, with locations and 3D film rushes from Iceland, Australia, Hawaii, and of course Suudbury. Science North became a leader in the inter-active and hands on style of Science and Nature exhibits and public outreach.

I had the pleasure of working with some really great people designing and building new exhibits, lighting the facility, all using modern lighting  systems, automated theatre controls, and other cuttting edge technologies as they arose. I got to sit on various design and operational committees, and, well,  I just had a great time working at a Science Centre.

During this time I was also contracted by Ontario Hydro where I helped them to perform energy audits, specifying energy efficient lighting systems, for most public facilities in the North, such as Schools, Hospitals, Civic buildings, and major industrial and mining operational facilities. I also re-designed the outdoor lighting at all of Ontario Hydro's transformer stations and the interior lighting of their facilities in the northern district as well.

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In the early '91, I  was asked, and subsequently accepted, to work with the Gov't of Manitoba, and Ducks Unlimited Canada, to build the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, just north of Winnipeg, MB. 

I was the Head of Design & Production from the project inception to the opening, 2yrs. later, on time and under budget. I was able to help run the facility, establish a national exhibit plan for D.U., and I learned a lot about wetlands, ducks and geese, and nature conservancy in general.

Later, after Oak Hammock was up successfully up and running, I moved on to become the Head of Design, and Project Manager for the Western Canadian Aviation Museum, designing and building "SKYWAYS", a children's gallery devoted to the science of flight.

I then went on to re-design the gallery and exhibits at the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum at CFB Shilo, and when that was successfully installed,  I moved back to Toronto in late '95.

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I worked for a short while as a driver for the film industry  before becoming the Lighting Programs Manager for CANLYTE at the Lighting Concept Centre in downtown Toronto. I helped to educate Architects, Engineers and other lighting specifiers on lighting design and efficient energy practices, utilising the company's products at the Centre, with real world mock-ups, demonstrations and daily presentations.

I was also a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) (I initially joined in the mid 80's) and during this period I served on the Executive Committee of the Toronto Centre.

I also worked as an independant Lighting Designer and Consultant where, amongst other work, I was able to redesign and bring up to standard, all of the interior lighting for the offices, control tower and control rooms at the NavCanada Air Traffic Control Facility at Toronto Pearson Airport.

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From here I decided that I needed a less complicated life and that my family needed a bit more job security, and all the benefits of life that come with that.

I changed gears and with my family's support I embarked on my 28 year career in the glamourous world of LTL Freight that I mentioned at the top of the page. I made the best of this career and

I spent my last 21 1/2 years working for XPO Logistics (formerly Con-Way Freight). I worked not only as a P&D driver, but as Driver Trainer, Chair of the JHSC for 15 yrs., Lead Hand, and mentor to the new, and older drivers.

I stiill kept my other interests up, and I used this time, with our weekends at our cottage, to further my observational skills as an amateur astronomer looking at the pristine skies over Geogian Bay.

After selling our place under those dark skies, I decided to concentrate one my Solar observing, imaging, and outreach with RASC.

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Since my retirement in October 2022, I have dedicated myself to Astronomy Outreach, specifically at the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory (RHDDO).

Here, as a Member of RASC-TC, and as a member, and current Chair, of the DDO Committee, I volunteer to help deliver, and to direct the astronomy related programs aand activities at the RHDDO. Through scheduled events and private bookings I help to conduct tours of the Observatory buildings, talk about astronomy (and try to answer questions), and most importantly … I get to operate the 74" Grubb - Parsons reflector telescope. (Yay!)

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In the fall of 2023 I was hired by the City of Richmond Hill as  a Visitor Experience Attendant at the RHDDO. In this part-time gig I get to greet the public and show them around the Observatory and talk about the site and how the telescope works. 

It seems that I have come full circle and now I get to be a Space and Science geek again!

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Thanks for visiting.