Hello! I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department Health and Human Performance at Northwest Missouri State University. I started in this position in August of 2014. I completed my Ph.D at Oklahoma State University and worked there as an Assistant Professor and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Assistance Center until 2014. I try to publish regularly in a variety of journals in the field and have authored or co-authored three books. I am president elect for the Leisure Educators section of the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association. I currently serve as a grant reviewer for the Alzheimer’s Association and have served as the editor of the state of Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (OAHPERD) journal. I have also been on the OAHPERD board and Oklahoma Recreation and Parks Society board. Most recently, was honored by being selected as the Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award winner in 2014 presented by the National Recreation and Parks Association. I was also named as a research fellow for the OAHPERD state organization. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife Christy and my 2 year old son Landon.