Education Department
Mike began model railroading before the age of ten, almost immediately learning to scratchbuild rolling stock and structures as a way to afford modeling on a small allowance. After a hiatus through college and early years of his career, he returned to the hobby in the late 1980's, helped establish a local club, joined the NMRA in 1989, and became Master Model Railroader number 334 in 2004.
He has served as Editor, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent for the Keystone Division and Vice President for the Mid Central Region, and worked on organizing committees for several MCR annual conventions, including General Chair in 2006.
A geologist by education, he worked for the West Virginia Geological Survey, where he was Director and State Geologist before retiring in 2017. He has served as a board member and officer for several professional societies, local charities, an athletic association, and his church.
He is building a layout representing the Lehigh Valley Railroad in the 1880's.