I have always had a keen interest in how things worked. When I was a boy, I had to dismantle anything I didn’t understand. After I saw how it functioned, my curiosity was satisfied. During my teen years, I worked with my grandfather on occasion – he was a safe and vault technician. I could change the tumblers in a vault, and re-pin a lock cylinder by the time I was 15 years old. When I joined the Air Force, and took their battery of tests, my electronics score was only surpassed by my mechanical aptitude. But I chose my true interest – electronics.
* Nine years of Piano training starting at age 8
* Graduated from High School a year early – both years took an electronics vocational shop class 3 hrs/day – GPA: 3.72
* Also while in High School I passed exams for First Class FCC License – required for Chief Engineers of radio and television broadcasting stations
* Joined U.S. Air Force at age 17 – Electronic Countermeasures Systems Specialist – Repaired & Calibrated Radar jamming systems on B-52 Bomber aircraft
* Married my high-school sweetheart at age 18 – eventually raised three sons – currently have seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter
* After an Honorable Discharge from USAF, I became an Avionics Technician for Stevens Beechcraft, Island Home Airport, Knoxville, TN
* I wanted to combine my interest in electronics with my love for music and piano lessons, so I applied for a job as an organ technician at Music House Keyboards in Knoxville, TN
* Electronic organ technician for Music House Keyboards, Knoxville, TN – Training & Certification on Hammond, Conn, Lowrey, Wurlitzer
* Began pursuing electrical engineering degree at University of TN, Knoxville, but UTK did not appeal to me
* Graduated from State Technical Institute (now Pellissippi State), Knoxville – AE-EET – GPA: 3.72
* Instrumentation Technician & Computer Programmer – TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) – Research & Development Laboratory – 13 years
* During my tenure at TVA, I started servicing synthesizers, specializing in Arp, Moog, and Oberheim. Soon I began servicing church organs for a local dealer
* Member of The American Guild of Organists – Knoxville Chapter – since 1990 – past Board member
* Left TVA and became a full-time entrepreneur
* Currently Proprietor of OrganTek Church Organ Service headquartered in Knoxville, TN