Born and raised in Southern California, South Carolina has been home for my family for over 6 years; I came to UAH on my own with the job offer. Should things pan out well, the family will join me in Huntsville.
A baseball fan, lover of the desert mountains, traveling, and avid Bibliophile, the topic of history has always been a part of my life. With a father for a teacher, we spent every other summer visiting the nation and all its wonders, parks, historic sites, and battlefields. Once a hobby and now a profession, I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm and care for historical research and education to UAH's students.
Though my specialization is the Civil War Era utilizing the History of Experience (tie in the senses and emotions to everything else and contextualize the past via the same), I am fascinated by other eras, be they the Napoleonic Age, the Mongol Empire, religion, ancient Rome, British history, the Wild West, and so many more I will not mention.
While an introvert, I love being in a situation where I can talk history with the public. I have lead tours, played a role in some digital history apps, volunteer at Fort Sumter National Park, and embarrass my family as I answer questions ad hoc during visits to battlefields and museums (like my father did when I was a child, and we were embarrassed by that as well...oh how the tables have turned).
When not teaching, researching, leading tours, I love being with my wife and kids, watching classic TV shows and films, sitting on a porch when it rains, and being surrounded by books. My family has lived in 6 states since my wife said "I do" in 2010 and look forward to times we can drive around the nation offering the children an array of experiences.
I have presented in conferences around the nation and internationally. As an avid reader, I enjoy book reviews and look forward to more. Through these presentations, I hope to find new ways to combine the academic and public history through networking and visit local historic sites and forming friendships and partnerships.
Give me good Mexican food, Korean and Southern BBQ, and pizza, and I will gladly make any town/city home. So far so good here in Huntsville.