Born on New York’s beautiful Long Island, I fell in love with the sea at the age of two, when I caught my first fish. That infactuation grew during my stduent years exploring and enjoying the area’s bays, beaches, surf and inshore waters.
While an Engineer Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, I was stationed at Camp Pendleton. I quickly discovered the wonders of the blue Pacific and vowed to stay close by. After several years in the military, I returned to college to study counseling psychology. The call of the sea was always tugging at my soul, however, and I finally decided to make my livelihood from the sea.
After more education to become a ship’s captain, I qualified for a U.S. Coast Guard’s Masters license in 1977. Just five years later I had saved enough money to buy a boat and start my own maritime charter service. The MV Sea Star, became both my boat and my “office.” I continue as the owner/operator to this day.
My goal is to share my experience, knowledge, and passion for the sea with students. I hope to ignite in them the same spark of interest that first captured my attention and then became the central focus of my life.
Education and Affiliations:
Villanova University – BA – 1970
US Marine Corps – Engineer Officer – 1970 to 1973
U.S. International University – Two years Post Graduate Studies – 1975 to 1977
US Coast Guard – Licensed Master – 1977 to present
Sea Star Charters – Owner/operator – 1982 to present
Sport fishing Association California – Member, Board of Directors – 1986 to present
Villanova Alumni Association of San Diego – Leadership Council – 1989 to present
Oceanside Sea Center Association – President and founding member – 1995 to 1999
Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research – Professional Associate – 1996 to present
Nearshore Groundfish Research Participant – 2003 to present
Orange Coast College, Professional Mariner Program – Advisory Board Member – 2007 to present
Awards:
United States Coast Guard “Certificate of Merit” – 2001
Harbormaster, City of Oceanside – Life Saving Letter of Commendation – 2002