Hometown: Fort Worth
Present City: Dallas — for a couple more days
Education: UT Austin, bachelor’s in advertising
Profession: Advertising/Communications
Tell us about your family.
Geri and I met in high school and married in 1992 after college. Our daughter, Harper, is 26 and recently finished a master’s degree at Syracuse University. My parents live in Fort Worth.
How about your work or volunteer life?
I do creative work in advertising, marketing and communications. After many years at a Dallas ad agency, I worked in-house for a retail chain and have also been a freelancer. When Mark Wingfield left Wilshire’s staff in 2020, I took over communications work for the church — the Tapestry, website, social media, advertising, etc.
Aren’t you leaving or something?
It’s true. After 20 years on staff at Wilshire, Geri accepted a job at Loyola University Maryland, and we’re moving to Baltimore. I will be continuing my Wilshire work remotely. We’ll miss being here but are excited about the new adventure and being closer to Harper.
Any favorite hobbies?
I play saxophone, with a focus on jazz. I didn’t study music in college and didn’t start learning jazz improvisation until my late 30s. I still have lots to learn, but I’ve been fortunate to play gigs around town with my own groups and others. Wilshire has played a big part in my musical journey, and for that I’ll always be grateful.
Favorite places to travel?
As a jazz fan and lover of art and culture, I enjoy New York City, and now it’ll be a three-hour train ride away. Texas will become a frequent destination to see family and friends.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We joined in 1992. We were young and not too savvy about denominational matters or the Baptist battles of the era, but we knew what we didn’t want: fire-and-brimstone fundamentalism or shallow contemporary music. We saw Wilshire in the Yellow Pages and decided to try it. Of all the churches we visited, it was the only one we liked enough to come back.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I joined Wilshire Winds in ’94 or ’95; if I hadn’t, my horn might still be in a closet. I’m also a deacon, but my work feels like the main way I’m engaged these days. With the pandemic and all the staff transitions, the five years I’ve been on the job have been eventful, and I’m proud of my role in keeping the church informed.
What’s surprised you most about Wilshire?
Nothing surprised me much along the way, but looking back, it’s amazing how much the church has changed while retaining its essential DNA.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I grew up in a couple of Baptist churches very different from Wilshire. I got away from church during college, and I’m not sure what would have happened if we hadn’t found this place. Wilshire changed the way I see faith, and I’m a better person for being here all these years.