He has been actively involved with issues of sustainability at Appalachian State University, serving as Faculty Co-Chair of the Sustainability Council. He has received BA in Biology from Wake Forest University, MA in Appropriate Technology from Appalachian State University and a PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from Cornell University. His Post-doctorate work was at the University of Georgia in the Agricultural Water Use program. He was also a licensed Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator in the state of North Carolina.