Contact Information

Biography

Education

B.S. in dairy science, cum laude, Utah State University

M.S. in dairy science, Utah State University
    Major Professor: Dr. Tilak Dhiman
    Thesis: “Feed a Pound of Fat Strategy to Improve Production and Health of Dairy Cows”

Ph.D. in animal science, University of Illinois
     Major Professor: Dr. James Drackley
     Dissertation: “Strategies to Reduce the Incidence of Fatty Liver”

Teaching Experience

  • Assistant Professor, Delaware Valley College, January 2011 - Present
    Classes taught: Principles of Animal Nutrition, lecture and lab; Principles of Dairy Science, lecture and lab; Senior Seminar, Dairy and Large Animal; Introduction to Animal Science; Dairy Systems and Management, lecture and lab; Animal Feeding and Nutrtion, lecture and lab
  • Advisor, DelVal Dairy Society. Bi-weekly meetings
    Traveled with 27 students to Ireland to learn about their dairy system
  • Coach, DelVal Dairy Challenge team. Lead teams to the Northeast Dairy Challenge and the National Dairy Challenge. Oversee weekly practices.
  • Substitute lecturer, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2010, Supervisor: Dr. Juan Loor
  • Prepared and taught five introductory lectures and labs in animal nutrition to 110 undergraduates.
  • Teaching assistant, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2007-2008
    Supervisor: Dr. Michael Hutjens
    Set up computer and communication equipment for weekly classes
    Posted assignments, handouts, and grades on class website
    Provided directions and troubleshooting for distance learners via telephone and e-mail
  • Teaching assistant, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 2005
    Supervisor: Dr. Lyle McNeal
    Planned lessons and assignments for introduction to animal science, led review sessions
    Assisted in preparing exams and assignments, graded papers and exams

Non-professional teaching activities

Seminary teacher, Church Education System, Champaign, IL, 2010
Supervisor: Dr. Rick Taylor
Prepared lessons and assignments on spiritual topics for 17 high school students
Motivated daily early morning (6:00 am) attendance through engaging and inspirational teaching methods

Quorum president, Souderton Ward, Doylestown, PA 2011-Present
Supervisor: Bishop Michael Gillis
Coordinate Sunday spiritual instruction of 30 men ages 18-45
Supervision and training of instructors
Prepare and teach lessons addressing needs of quorum members
Plan service projects and social activities

Quorum president, Urbana Ward, Champaign, IL, 2007-2010
Supervisor: Bishop Kevin Johnson
Coordinated Sunday spiritual instruction of 60 men ages 18-45
Supervised and trained 3 instructors
Prepared and taught lessons addressing needs of quorum members
Planned service projects and social activities

After-school mentor, America Reads Program, Logan, UT, 2005-2006
Supervisor: Todd Milovich
Assisted middle school English language learners with math, science and English
Translated for Spanish speaking parents at parent teacher conferences

Missionary, Spain, Barcelona Mission, Barcelona, Spain, 1999-2001
Supervisor: President Shayne Bowen
Taught and discussed religious topics with large and small groups of people in the Spanish language
Supervised 12 missionaries in their teaching efforts

Research experience

Doctoral student, Department of Animal Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2006-2011
“Strategies to Reduce the Incidence of Fatty Liver”
Measured dry matter intake, milk yield, milk components and body weight in 100 cows
Analyzed liver lipid, triglyceride and glycogen
Measured rumen content weight, VFA, pH, dilution rate and passage rate

Masters student, Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 2004-2006
“Feed a Pound of Fat Strategy to Improve Production and Health of Dairy Cows”
Measured dry matter intake, milk yield, milk components and body weight in 45 cows
Analyzed feed digestibility
Measured rumen pH, VFA and ammonia concentrations

Summer intern, Miner Institute, Chazy, NY, 2003
Nutrient balance of N, P, and K for the Miner dairy and horse farm

Lab assistant, Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 2002
Sample collection, data entry and NDF, ADF, and CP analysis

Additional experience

Husband to Brittney. Father of Eliza and son to be born in December 2012.

Vice president of the board of directors, Winfield Village Cooperative, Savoy, IL, 2008-2011
Budgeting, marketing, and policy decision making for 348 housing units
Refinancing, staff restructuring, policy book revising
Writing board responses to requests and complaints from membership

Farm Supervisor, Richards Jersey Farm (family farm), Erda, UT, 1988-1998
Milking and feeding of 300 cows, morning and night shifts.

Selected awards

Russell-Malnati Advanced Studies Scholarship, American Jersey Cattle Association, 2007
College of Agriculture Leadership Scholarship, Utah State University, 2001 and 2003
George Caine Dairy Scholarship, Utah State University, 2002
Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, 1998

Professional memberships

American Dairy Science Association
American Jersey Cattle Association