Age: 59
Family: My wife Diana and I have four boys between us — Ryan, Justin, Travis and Jack. We have a wonderful extended family that includes our precious 4-year-old granddaughter, Sylvie.
Pets: Faithful, though disabled, dog Rocky.
Education: Wake Forest University, University of Florida law school.
Admitted to the Bar: 1977
Employed by: Anderson, Howell & Ravis
Field of practice: Plaintiff personal injury and environmental law.
Community involvement: Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute, president; St. Johns Riverkeeper, legal committee; The Timucuan Trail Parks Foundation, board member; Sierra Club, former chair and a life member.
How did you become involved?
Inspired by Rachel Carson's books in college. As a lawyer, I felt compelled to give my time and energy to help protect our natural world. My legal environmental heroes include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Charlie Bennett, John Delaney and Nathaniel Reed.
How can someone else become involved?
All of the environmental groups need legal help — Public Trust, Riverkeeper, Timucuan Trail Parks, Sierra, etc. I tell young lawyers who want to do pro-environmental work to pick out their favorite nonprofit and volunteer. It is fun and things can quickly happen.
What have you learned or achieved through the experience?
Environmentalists don't work so hard for money, for profit or to centralize government power. They do it because they love the natural world and want to preserve it for future generations. That helps you sleep at night.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
Ken Wilber's "Integral Spirituality" and Thomas Wolfe's "Look Homeward, Angel."