TheSwirl: A whirling or eddying motion or mass: such as a swirl of water. This site is intended for non-commercial use by my friends and family.
Professional: I have a bachelors degree in Geography (1975) from State University of NY, Oneonta, NY and a Masters Degree in Planning (1979) from University of Washington, Seattle, WA. I worked for NYS Wetlands Inventory, Schoharie County Land Use Planning Department, Lane Council of Governments, North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, and Synectics Corporation. I am currently a Senior Program Manager with Northrop Grumman working in R&D areas of information data handling.
Family: In August 2011 I celebrated 35 years of marriage. I have three adopted children; Ed (born 1976), Billie Jo (born 1980) and Eric (born 2003).
Personal Interests
Outdoor Activities. In HS I was introduced to competitive canoe racing, spelunking and rock climbing through an informal outing club. I have continued those interests and expanded to include winter camping. I have received certifications as a:
- Leave No Trace trainer (Green Mtn Club, Sept 2001) and Master Educator (ADK, Sept 2006)
- American Canoe Association Certified Paddling and Basic River Instructor for kayaks, solo and tandem canoes (ACA June, 2002)
- Wilderness First Aid (December 2003)
Notable long distance or back country canoeing trips I have taken include:
- Five Ponds Wilderness Area, 2002
- Little Tupper to Lake Lila, 2002
- Unadilla River to the Susquehanna River to the PA State Line, 2004 (78 Miles)
- Jordan River 2004
- Clarion River,PA 2005 (94 Miles)
- Chenango River, NY 2006
- Oswegatchie River, NY 2007
- Kunjamuk, NY 2007
- Spy Lake, NY 2007
- Algonquin Loop 2007
- Fall Stream & Vly Lake 2008
- St Regis Canoe Area, NY 2009
- Schoharie Creek NY 2010
- Upstream on the Jessup River & Spy Lake 2010
- Rock Lake, 2011
- Upper West Branch of the Sacandaga
- Four Days in St Regis 2011
Winter Camping. I have been avidly winter camping since 1995 with an affiliation of friends and relatives known as www.wintercampers.com.
Sports. From my teenage years through my early 40′s I was an avid basketball player. In my 40s I started playing competitive volleyball; learning as Billie Jo played volleyball in HS.
Horses. Until age 13 I grew up on a dairy farm and had two ponies (Nip & Tuck) – but no bicycle. At 13 I sold the ponies and bought a horse(“Duke”) for trail riding and to participate in county 4H shows at the Cobleskill Fair. In HS other interests gained precedence and when I graduated HS I sold Duke and bought a canoe. In 1986 I re-engaged and bought an American Quarter Horse Association mare (“Lovable Luxury”) that started the run of several AQHA horses: Truly Luxury, Candy Bar Luxury, Silver Barbara, Master The Glory, Centeno Bars, and Hierelectricity; that we used for trail riding and showing at local shows, AQHA shows, and the NYS Fair. Kathryn and I did most of the trail riding while Billie Jo and I did most of the showing. My equine honors include:
- NYS Horse Council Western Pleasure Qualifier 1992 (3rd), 1995 (1st), 1996 (3rd) & 1998
- Oneida County Senior Western Champion 1996
- Herkimer County Western Champion 1996 & 1997
- Barneveld Horsemans Association Senior Western Championships 1993 Reserve, 1998 Champion
I served in Barneveld Horseman’s Association roles as Publicity, Park Planning, Vice President and President. I was on the Empire Horse Park Board of Directors 1998-1999.