My Story :
To understand my passion for career, vocational & disability consulting, let me first tell you a little about myself.  I grew up in a small agricultural region of New York state.  I was encouraged by school guidance counselors to learn a trade as I was not "college material".  So I took wood shop, small engine repair and any other "trade" classes I could.  I eventually became a certified welder and fabricator.  After high school, I joined the Navy to apply my trade.  I didn't realize it at the time, but this was also the beginning of my journey toward becoming a career and vocational rehabilitation consultant.

In the Navy, I advanced quickly.  I was not able to use my welding skills, but I learned yet another trade in electronics.  Flash forward now-I was just 23 years old and in my second career.  I had done exactly what I was counseled to do by my school guidance counselors.   I was making a fair living for myself, my wife and one child-things were going pretty well.  I didn't realize though, that my life was about to take a very sudden and unexpected twist that would lead to yet another career change and to me challenging the very understanding of my vocational aptitude, abilities and preferences.

In 1991, I was injured while on active duty.  I didn't immediately realize the impact this injury would have on me, but it soon became apparent.  Just 12 short months after my injury, I was medically discharged from military service.  After discharge, I quickly learned the impact my disability would have on my ability to obtain work utilizing the skills I had acquired in my work. I learned quickly I was not employable either as a welder or as an electronics technician.  I had no idea where to turn.      

Long story short, I eventually gained access to a rehabilitation counselor who helped me work through my anxiety, depression, feelings of job loss and despair about my future, marital conflict, self doubt, financial conflict and earlier vocational programming that served to build up a wall that isolated me from achieving my full vocational and personal potential. 

Today, my practice is focused on working with others experiencing career, occupational & vocational challenges.  My clients include individuals, attorneys, insurance companies and employers.  The common thread with all of my clients, regardless of the setting or issue, is in answering the question, "how does a person's present circumstances impact their ability to fully participate in the world around them-and in particular, the world of work".      

I have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Counselor Education from the University of North Florida; a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Regis University and am currently a doctoral candidate in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Florida.

I am nationally certified as a Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC); Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE) and Life Care Planner (CLCP).  I am board certified as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and as a Diplomate of the American Board of Vocational Experts (D-ABVE).  I am also licensed by the State of Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).