Oakdale Emory - United Methodist Church

 My Story: I attended Getaway United Methodist Church, which is a small country church.  As an undergraduate, I attended the University of Kentucky and received a B.S. in Chemistry in 1986.  I next attended the University of South Carolina as a graduate student.  While at South Carolina I met my future wife, Sheela, who was a graduate student who worked in a biochemistry lab on the same floor as my inorganic chemistry lab.  I received my Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry in 1991.  I was offered a job at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office which I accepted.  I worked as a patent examiner from 1991 to 2000 examining applications for patents on the chemistry of photographic film.  I was then promoted to Supervisory Patent Examiner in the chemistry and chemical engineering technology.

 Ministry Area:   On Church Council, I am the Church treasurer and am responsible for accounts payable and church payroll.  I am also coordinator, along with my wife Sheela, of the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) team at OEUMC. ASP is a Christian organization that answers the prayers of the less fortunate in central Appalachia by making their homes warmer, safer and drier.  The ASP organization is based upon youth working side by side with adults in the repair of houses.  OEUMC has sent teams to Appalachia for over 25 years.  In the past, my wife and I served as Sunday School administrators for five years.  I have also served a chairman of the Staff/Parish Relations Committee.  I also have led Disciple I and Disciple III classes.

 

Family:  Sheela and I were married in 1992 at my childhood church in Ohio.  We have two children, Arianna, an eighth grader at Farquhar, and Nicholas, a fourth grader at Brooke Grove.

 

Passion:   Watching my kids in their many activities.  Arianna is a second degree junior black belt in karate and Nicholas is an advanced junior brown belt.  Arianna is also in the wonderful Joyful Noise Youth Choir.  Nicholas is a member of the puppets ministry.  I also enjoy watching Arianna at swim team and Nicholas in basketball.  Being a Kentucky alum I have a passion for UK Basketball.  Go Wildcats!

 

Favorite Pastimes:  Mostly spectator sports.  I enjoy college basketball and football, especially if Kentucky or South Carolina are playing.  I also like watching the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles.

 

Little-Known Fact:  I played the trumpet until I graduated from UK.