Prior to teaching at Maryville, he obtained his B.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry at Baylor University studying the synthesis tridentate nitrogen ligands and the reaction conditions that affect the regioselectivity in the formation of nitrogen heterocycles. He did a postdoctoral fellowship in the Chemical Separations Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory studying the formation of three dimensional covalent frameworks as well the synthesis and analysis of a guanidine suppressor for use in the Caustic Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) process for the removal of cesium from legacy nuclear waste. In addition to teaching organic chemistry, advanced organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and instrumental analysis, he teaches chemistry for non-science majors in the Maryville College Core Curriculum such as “The Chemistry of Fireworks” and “History According to the Periodic Table.”