About Me
In December 2000, when I was taking a class at the University of Southern California from Dr. Richard Clark, I chose for a term paper topic: The Development of Expertise. Dr. Clark told me that if I wrote my term paper on expertise, I would be fascinated for life by this domain of study. He was right. I have spent many hours studying this complex field. My doctoral dissertation was on motivation and achievement, a key component in the development of expertise. I have read thousands of research journals and hundreds of books. All of the theories presented in this book are based on peer reviewed research.
The development of expertise has fascinated me because I have developed expertise in a number of domains including photography, technology, education, and practical shooting (United States Practical Shooting Association – USPSA).
In photography, my first passion, I held a staff position at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) for twelve years and my work has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Daily Breeze, Sports Illustrated, and Life Magazine. Later I won the “Indy Takes Photoshop to the Max” an international design contest sponsored by Silicon Graphics Inc., Adobe Inc. and Peter Max Studios for my photography and Adobe Photoshop work.
Over the course of several years my interest in computers evolved into a decade-long career choice that enabled me to become the Director of Information Technology for the Public Relations Department at the University of Southern California (USC) for almost eleven years.
My passion for education led me to become a high school classroom teacher. That experience motivated me to enter graduate school, where I received a Masters in Instructional Technology and, ultimately, a Doctorate in Education, both from the University of Southern California.
My interest in practical shooting led me to becoming an “A” Class Open shooter in the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA). I was the first place Super Senior at the Springfield Armory Single Stack Classic in 2018 and the first place Super Senior in the Open Division at the 2019 Magnus Cup I (both are national level three matches). I have also won or placed as a Super Senior in many other matches.
I have achieved all my goals in the above domains except for one: to write a book on the development of expertise. This, then, marks the achievement of a major goal in my life. What’s next for me?
