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As a PK (Preacher’s Kid), I grew up in small town America. I was born in Mercer County, PA and we moved to Clymer, NY when I was 11 years old and spent my formative years attending Clymer Central School, playing sports, and helping out on a few different dairy farms. We moved during the summer of 1979 and I spent my senior year attending and graduated from Akron Central School.

Following graduation, I attended Genesee Community College earning an A.S. in Math/Science. I earned my B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Buffalo and entered the workforce. My first job was as an Operations Manager for Hill’s Department Stores where I quickly decided a career in retail management was not for me and returned to UB in 1987 to complete their graduate teacher education program. I attended classes during the day and worked midnight security at the Delphi, Building 1 in Lockport.

At this time, my father was the Senior Pastor at Emmanuel UMC in Lockport where I attended worship and taught Sunday school. Here I met Kimberly and we were married a couple years later in 1989. This Fall will mark our 35^th anniversary. Kim joined me in Beaver Falls, NY where I began my career as a secondary social studies teacher. During this time, I earned my M.S degree in Reading Education from SUNY Potsdam. I spent the last 26 years of my teaching career at Newfane High School. During that time, God called me into the ministry as a part time local pastor. I first served Royalton UMC (2000-2003), then North Ridge UMC (2003-2009).

Kimberly and I have three adult children and seven grandchildren, (all three of my children are Newfane graduates like their mother):

Nathan (Vanessa) Sellers (North East, PA) have two children, Harvey (3) and Delilah (1)

Kaitlyn (Shane) Spriggle (Middleburg, PA) have four children, Chevy (11), twins Luka and Emmaline (8), and Josephine (3 months)

Andy (Julia) Sellers (Melrose, MA) have one son, Wyatt (5 months)

We have been truly blessed and hold out hope for more grandchildren in the future.

I retired from teaching in 2019 and after living in Newfane for 26 years we decided to return to Chautauqua County which put us close to our son Nathan. I managed to stay completely retired for two years but reentered the work force part time in 2021 working as a Transportation Security Officer at the Erie International Airport. I thought I was all set but God was not done with me. In March 2022 I accepted a calling to work at Park UMC, North East, PA as the Director of Discipleship. Just when I thought this was my final calling, I now prepare to serve as a part time local pastor once again serving both Newfane UMC and Warrens Corners UMC.

In our “free time” Kimberly and I enjoy spending time with our grandchildren, doing DIY projects (our house in Ripley, NY is nearly renovated), and traveling. What we enjoy most however is sitting and relaxing on our front porch watching the beautiful sunsets over Lake Erie.