My work and professional success has always been a key part of my life.

I grew up in the construction sector – helping my father fix up old condemned houses starting at age 11 – and later earned engineering and MBA degrees from great schools.

My first professional role was as an investment banker in NYC and Houston – structuring nine-figure bond deals for major hospital systems.

I’ve spent most of my career as an oil and gas management consultant – working on five continents advising top executives at major and national oil companies on strategy & operations.

I’ve spoken at major energy conferences in Houston, London, Seoul and Rio de Janeiro, among other places.

Along the way I held key roles at construction, technology & broadband firms, plus was involved in several successful startup ventures.

One recent venture uses mediation and arbitration techniques to resolve complicated disputes – and I have resolved hundreds of complex healthcare billing disputes.

I even serve as an elected official in my local community.

Plus: I’ve had a ton of fun adventures. I was a radio DJ and welding instructor in college, I’ve driven a stock car, and I worked security for two major concerts.

So my work life has always meant a lot to me – just like it does for you.

Having faced divorce and stepfamily drama, trauma, family court and all the rest, the two of us searched for answers and knowledge. In 2002, we started working with single parents and stepfamilies in our church and community.

From there, we spoke and taught others on the importance of building strong and intentional marriages and how to address complex stepfamily issues, first to local audiences, and then on to larger audiences such as the Pursue Oneness Conference in Houston and the International Fatherhood Conference in Miami. We recently appeared on Ron Deal’s FamilyLife Blended Podcast to discuss the daily practices of happy stepcouples, and Ron and I spoke again on his podcast recently.

Along the way, I’ve trained and researched with many great leaders and mentors. I am certified as a Stepfamily Coach through the Stepfamily Foundation, also completing FamilyLife’s Smart Stepfamily Therapy Training. I trained to lead John Gottman’s Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work program. I am a TMCA Credentialed Mediator, having completed alternative dispute resolution training in mediation, arbitration and parenting coordination.

I have researched and learned from Bill Eddy, Michelle Weiner-Davis, John Van Epp and many other experts focusing on marriage, divorce, stepfamilies and many other personal topics. In 2006 I co-founded The Bridge Across, offering coaching, education & programs for families of all types. Our most recent group program, Exes and Answers, offered key support and insights to stepfamily couples and parents.