Everyone is called to steward their time, talent and treasure to others in need. Here are some of the organizations and activities in which I’ve been actively involved.
Cajun Navy & Texas SAR
When Hurricane Harvey slammed the Gulf Coast of Texas in August 2017, I dropped everything and drove my 4×4 Suburban into high water to rescue people from their homes and nursing centers.
I worked closely with Cajun Navy and Texas Search and Rescue teams as a boatman. Over the course of four days, with precious little sleep, I tracked the storm from the flash floods of Houston’s west side to Port Arthur to the evacuee center in Lake Charles, LA.
I chronicled my experience in social media, leading to press coverage of my work and an impact study by the University of Texas to improve the response of health organizations and first responders during catastrophic events.
SafePlace
While earning my Psychology Degree in college, I learned about the prevalence of sexual assault in this country. My education led me to become a Peer Educator for the Student Health Center at UT Arlington. I educated fellow students on the issues surrounding acquaintance rape through seminars and round-table discussions.
In January 1998, the Center for Battered Women and the Austin Rape Crisis Center merged to become SafePlace, an Austin and Travis County community resource. That spring, I volunteered to be a rape crisis counselor. I was a member of the first 40 hour training class held at the University of Texas and one of two men. The training prepared me to assist sexual assault victims at the hospital, on police patrols and on the rape crisis hotline.
In 2001, I helped SafePlace during the development of its innovative Court Watch program. SafePlace worked with local prosecutors, judges and victim’s advocates to provide courtroom observers during sexual assault, protective order and child abuse cases. The goal of the program is to identify and eliminate systematic behaviors and policies that re-victimize the plaintiffs within the court system. SafePlace analyzed information from observers and compiled a confidential report for the court’s officers who were then in a position to be more accommodating to sexual assault survivors. The Court Watch program is a success and is modeled by other rape crises centers around the U.S. This experience provided a candid view of courtroom proceedings and the legal process.
SafePlace is a nationally recognized center serving thousands in Central Texas.
Catholic Charities
I am a volunteer for several ministries within my home parish of St. Louis and the Diocese of Austin.
Knight Commander, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem
Founded in 1099, the EOHSJ is the oldest military order in the world.
On behalf of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal O’Brien traveled to Texas, and knighted my wife April and me with the formal Vatican honorifics, Sir and Dame.
Our work involves material and spiritual support for Christians, Jews and Muslims living together throughout the Holy Land. We help build schools, maintain world heritage sites and encourage travel to the region. I’ve had the privilege of making two pilgrimages to visit holy sites throughout Israel and the West Bank in 2023.
Theology on Tap
I am a leading member of a unique formation ministry where we host guest speakers in a local pub to present theological topics related to current events and young adult issues. I record, edit and post the Austin Theology on Tap podcast.
Written On Our Hearts
I was a leading member of the planning committee of one of the first Catholic Young Adult conferences in the United States. I assisted with program development, sponsorship, marcom and event coordination.
CapitalC.org
I have worked with the Diocese of Austin to help coordinate Young Adult ministries, leadership and activities across all parishes. I assisted with marcom, event planning and identifying stakeholders to help drive and sustain a new diocesan organization under the direction of Bishop Gregory Aymond.
Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men
I am on the diocesan board of advisers that helps form, guide and build fellowship groups for men across all 125 parishes in the diocese. I am also a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Adult & Family Faith Formation
My wife and I are both members of the St. Louis Marriage and Family ministry. We help couples prepare to receive the sacrament of matrimony and young parents & their children receive the sacrament of baptism.
Star Quest Podcast Network
Following the spirit of Pope John Paul II’s call for a “new evangelization,” I am an active advocate for all forms of Catholic media, including the SQPN podcast network, social media, print publishing, cable TV, satellite and terrestrial radio and direct, outdoor and broadcast campaigns.
American YouthWorks
American YouthWorks (formerly American Institute for Learning), is a national model charter high school and a part of the Austin Americorps program. The have a unique approach to helping youth and adults complete their education, prepare for employment, and improve their life skills. Education at AYW includes, employment training, counseling services, youth corps programs, a fully-functioning health center and individualized learning methods. The program has been praised by Democrat and Republican leaders, including President Bush.
AYW Executive Director, Richard Halperin, asked me to help with new initiatives in technology education. I accepted and continue to serve as a charter member of the Technology Advisory Committee. The school’s principal and director of the Computer Corps both look to me to provide insight with technology and business employment trends. I review Technology Academy curriculum, offer suggestions for improvement and hosted a business facilities tour of Stream Studio for the students.
Entrepreneurship
My Experience as an Entrepreneur
Stream Studio (co-founder)
The Bearded Savant (co-founder)
Healthy’s (restaurant partner)
The Silo (restaurant partner)
Soulciti (media partner)
SQPN (strategic advisor)
PeopleFund (consultant, volunteer)
BigAustin (consultant, trainer)
Chambers of Commerce (speaker)
Trade Associations (speaker)
The composition of small businesses in a community reveals an important story about the culture, spirit and soul of the area. Small business is the glue, providing goods, services and jobs in the community. Through various organizations and business networks, I have enjoyed active participation in the development of Austin’s economy.
PeopleFund
PeopleFund is a Community Development Center that promotes economic vitality and opportunity in low-income communities by providing financial services and technical assistance that will create jobs, provide needed goods and services, improve the physical environment, promote diversity in entrepreneurial success and build individual and community assets. PeopleFund provides financing and comprehensive technical assistance services to businesses, community organizations and affordable housing ventures in Austin’s lower-income communities.
I first encountered PeopleFund in 1999 (known then as The Austin CDC) and have enjoyed a unique relationship as a volunteer, a provider and a client. I offered discount rates and in-kind contributions toward various campaigns. I occasionally work with PeopleFund as a resource to local entrepreneurs who need guidance with some aspect of their business. I also work through the organization with state and local community leaders and elected officials to offer my perspective of business and the economy in Austin.
PeopleFund is a great resource to network and exchange ideas and concerns with area entrepreneurs. In addition to a direct relationship with the staff and board, I have participated in many PeopleFund Programs.
PeopleTalk Speaker Series
PeopleTalk invites some of our country’s most prolific and provocative thinkers in the fields of economic opportunity, racial equity and regional development. Speakers discuss new ideas and new models for addressing the economic and social future of our region. Through this series, I had the honor of meeting Dr. Mohammad Yunus, inventor of microcredit, founder of the Grameen Bank, United Nations Foundation board member, author and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
East Austin Economic Summit
The East Austin Summit is composed of entrepreneurs, small business owners, civic and education leaders who meet to share their unique perspectives on the East Austin economy. It’s a wide sweeping initiative with participation from trade associations, chambers of commerce, commercial lenders and microlenders. The group meets to discuss changes, opportunities and obstacles ahead based on presentations, economic data analysis and focus groups. The information is tailored to encourage small business development in East Austin with the benefit of shared resources for success.
East Night Fundraiser Campaign
East Night is a critical event for raising operating capital. I have helped to plan and participated in several campaigns.
Business Investment Growth
BiG Austin is another microlending nonprofit serving local entrepreneurs. They focus on smaller start up ventures and provide extensive training through entrepreneurial courses complete with a graduation ceremony.
I’ve been a long time volunteer with BiG Austin. One of my first projects was to offer discount rates and in-kind contributions toward wed development and hosting. I have also helped with their annual fundraising campaign and awards show.
BiG Austin requested a Web Marketing module to be added to their entrepreneur curriculum. I developed the module and modified it to include advice on building and maintaining a successful small business site. I taught the module to BiG Austin classes for several years. The feedback I received helped me develop a similar program for trade associations and chambers of commerce.
Chambers of Commerce & Trade Associations
Through my company, Stream Studio Web Architects, I’ve participated in many events hosted by smaller chambers including the Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Capital City African-American Chamber of Commerce and the Austin Homebuilders Association.
I’ve presented seminars and served on public discussion manuals to help local business owners learn more about building effective web-based applications, web marketing strategies and how to better serve their customers.
KVRX-FM
I hosted a weekly variety music program on the famed college radio station at the University of Texas. This media work led to exciting networking opportunities with local bands, music venues and film projects within the Radio, TV & Film department.