Biography
I supervise the OSU Extension Computing Technology Unit, providing onsite and remote support to 38 County Cooperative Extension Offices and 8 Regional Branch Agricultural Experiment Stations across the state of Oregon. I coordinate and provide training and support in web technologies, digital media production, social media, video conferencing and other online collaborative technologies. I'm a technologist at heart who enjoys helping people learn how to use technology to improve their work, connect with new audiences online and better their lives. I like to think of myself as a bridge/translator between "techies" and users, with a knack for explaining technology in simple to understand terms, without the geek speak and techno-babel.
My claim to fame, however, is through my alter ego - DroneSinger - the "Weird Al" of drones, world's #1 composer of parody songs about drones. I leverage this fame to do K-12 STEAM outreach, engagement and education, using drones, robots, music, humor, puppets, poetry and storytelling to reach under-served/under-represented youth and spark their interest in STEAM education and career pathways.
Association Memberships / Positions
- Oregon STEM – current board member
- Mid-Valley STEM/CTE Hub – current board member
- OSU Professional Faculty Leadership Association (PFLA) – current member, former board member, Marketing Director, Social Media, Webmaster
- OSUEA (Oregon State University Extension Association) – current member
- Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) – current member through OSU
- Association of Communications Excellence (ACE) – current member, Instructional Design & Information Technology Learning Community Co-Chair, past Professional Development Director
Advisory Committees
Skills and Experience
- Tech Support
- Customer Service
- Social Media
- Communications & Marketing
- Virtual Collaboration
- Digital Media Production
- Non-Profit & Small Business
- UAS - Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones)
Interests
- Alternative / Non-traditional / Informal Education
- Experiential & Life-long Learning
- Professional / Workforce Development
- Leadership
- Future Work
- Creativity & Innovation
- The Arts
- Edutainment via Music, Comedy, Puppetry/Ventriloquism, Poetry and Storytelling
- Aeronautics and Aviation
- Drones, Robotics & Cutting Edge Technologies
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Outreach & Engagement