My “Roots”
I consider myself analogous to a bonsai tree. I was periodically re-potted throughout my childhood, but like a bonsai, this was done with a level of care. As such, I was raised in suburban areas around Orlando, FL, Nashua, NH, and Atlanta, GA, and I continued this trend of moving around on my own as I got older. I spent my twenties in various parts of northern Arizona, where I went back to school, got married, got an MS in mathematics, and taught at Northern Arizona University for several years. I eventually left NAU to return to school at Tulane for a PhD in physics where I hoped to study foundations of quantum mechanics, but after only a year, many influences led me to take a job at the Air Force Research Lab’s Information Directorate in upstate NY. I was fortunate enough to go on a sabbatical of sorts to finish my PhD at Clarkson University in the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science, where my dissertation focused on synchronization of chaos and hierarchical network structures. Then, due to a complicated series of events including a pandemic that allowed me to work remotely for years where my wife works near Pittsburgh, PA, I ended up taking the “Fork in the Road” and leaving AFRL in 2025 to strike out on my own with the establishment of Root Dynamix LLC.
My Family
I have been married to Elizabeth since 2009. She has been a guiding force in my life and has taught me how to work with life, rather than against it; supporting me through the many ups and downs of a rather non-traditional path through decades of education and experience building. The year 2021 was a tough one as both of our long time pets, Munda and Sidka (see below), passed away, but we now have a new cohort of animals in the house with Newt and Maya (also below). Living out west resulted in a love for the outdoors, and although more domesticated these days due to work, we love to be out in Nature.
Sidka (2009-2021)
Another force of Nature in my life was our dog, Sidka, who dragged me out to the woods for about an hour each day for over a decade. Much of my creative thinking occurred while on these walks and if not for her, I would still be studying quantum mechanics inside instead of complex systems science.
Munda (2003-2021)
Although Munda did not impact my work life aside from attacking me at the desk when he was younger, he was the most loving cat I have ever known. Rest in Peace Good Boy!
Newt!
We rescued Newt back in 2021, and he likes to play fetch and roll around on his back.
Maya
We welcomed Maya back in 2023, and she keeps me out walking in Nature and is one of the sweetest animals alive.