Bio
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Bachelor of Science, Biology, Loyola University, Chicago, Master of Science and PhD in Food Science/Human Nutrition from Michigan State University. Served in the U.S. Army (1968-70) and in Vietnam (1969-1970) with the 44th Medical Brigade and worked in the food industry in several capacities. Currently, Emeritus Professor of Agribusiness and Food Science in the Morrison School of Agribusiness in the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus (Mesa). He has served as associate dean of the Morrison School, and the director of the Division of Agriculture and helped originate the School of Agribusiness and Environmental Resources from the Division of Agriculture. He has published numerous scientific articles, symposia, book chapters and he has written eight books, five in agribusiness and three in food science. He has been recognized as a teacher/mentor in several ways. Post Secondary Educator of the Year, Arizona Agricultural Teachers Association, 2010 and 1998, Professor of the Year Polytechnic campus, 1999, Outstanding Faculty Member Award (ASU), 1993,1995-1997, Nominee Student’s Professor of Year Award 2001-2007 (award ceased 2008), Honorary State Farmer Degree (Arizona FFA Association) 1987 and 2010, Honorary American Farmer Degree(National FFA) 1997, and National FFA VIP Award, 2014. Recognized for Outstanding Achievement, Family Farm Alliance, 2014, Outstanding Leadership, Project CENTRL, 2014, Outstanding Leadership, AZ FFA Association, 2013, Outstanding Leadership Award, Arizona Ag Teachers Association, 2014 and Life Time Achievement Award, Agribusiness & Water Council, 2014. He served on the agricultural industry committee that established the legislation organizing and founding the Arizona Department of Agriculture (the only academic involved) and has served as liaison to the rector/president, Instituto de Tecnologico De Sonora through two presidents. He is vice-president of Project CENTRL’s board of directors, treasurer of the Agri-Business & Water Council of Arizona, Inc., works with the Arizona Farmer Rancher Hall of Fame Committee and the Arizona National Livestock Show and a member of the Institute of Food Technologists, Cactus Section. At the national level he is an elected member of the Agribusiness Roundtable of the Farm Foundation and serves on the National FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development committee. He serves the state as a member of Specialty Crop Block Grant program (USDA) committee and the BSE standing committee, among other state and regional committees involving food safety and agribusiness. He and his wife Barbara have lived in Arizona for 40 years and have been married for 48 years. They have one son, Ilya, who is working in the film and television industry in Southern California.