A very fortunate man...loved by his wife of 42 years, his two daughters and his four grand kids. And I love being known as Papa--the only name my grand kids know me by. I also love building gardens--which is probably a good idea with my background in landscape architecture and construction--and I've enjoyed entertaining thousands of people by hosting weddings, fund raisers and other events at our own beautiful garden home. But I also love building places--homes, apartments, rehabbing historic buildings, creating opportunities and removing obstacles as I've done for 26 years in real estate development through Cook Development Corporation. A large part of that is creating safe and efficient housing for people of modest to lower incomes--offering a hand up, not a hand out. But, making things isn't limited to construction of buildings. I've also been a part of inventing and obtaining patents on a hydraulically applied biotic soil amendment called PermaMatrix BSA with Sunmark Environmental Services, LLC. We are preparing to roll out a consumer version of PermaMatrix in pellet form called PermaMatrix BSP in the Spring of 2015. All formulations are carbon based using bio-carbon (commonly referred to as biochar) as a key ingredient. The ancient civilizations in South America knew something we're only recently re-discovering: carbon in the soil significantly improves all crop performance.While my professional career is winding down, my commitment to Christian ministry is only beginning. I've done short term missions to develop economic opportunities for Bedouin and Gypsy communities--those at risk of human trafficking--and simply to listen to the stories and pray with Believers living under intolerant Islamic regimes. I have a heart for the Near East and plan on continuing my efforts to bring hope to the hopeless.
Listed skills include Construction, Environmental, Restoration, Sustainability, and 11 others.
