DEGREES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY 1969

Master of Arts (MA), Vocational Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 1999

Doctor of Philosophy (PHD), Clayton College of Natural Health, Birmingham, AL 2004

Board Certified Alternative Medical Practitioner by the American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA); Galveston, TX

Honorable Discharge, U.S. Army; 1975

Honorable Discharge, U. S. Air Force; 1969

PAST AND PRESENT PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

Mystery Writers of America

Florida Writers Association

Tampa Writers Alliance

Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society

Coalition for Natural Health

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Paralyzed Veterans of America

League of United Latin-American Citizens

Paralysis Society of America

Military Writers Society of America

American Legion

AWARDS:

First Prize for Chronic Nights in Florida Writers Association's 2003 Royal Palm Literary Awards

Second Prize for Because They Were in Florida Writers Association's 2003 Royal Palm Literary Awards

Third Prize in Biogen Idec's national essay contest, "How Taking Avonex Changed My Life Living With Multiple Sclerosis," 2000

Excellence in Government Award, 2002, Hillsborough County, Florida

Listed in Marquis Publication's Who's Who in America, 2003-2009, 2013-2014, 2018
Listed in Marquis Publication's Who's Who in the World, 2004-2007
Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award 2018

Taking a break from plantation work.

I was born in New York City and transplanted myself in Tampa, Florida in 1972 after my discharge from the U.S. Army. In 1998, I moved to Zephyrhills, which is about 25 miles northeast of Tampa, and I went from being a Newyorican to a Zephyrhillian. Having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, my life took an unexpected detour. My losses in physical strength have more than been compensated for by my gains in cognitive skills. It seems that the disease brought as many brain cells to life as those that it had killed. Since the onset of ms, I've earned my Masters and Doctorate degrees, have written five novels, have had three dozen short stories, articles and essays published, have been named to Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World, and last but certainly not least, have become a grandfather three times. Of course, ms had nothing to do with that last one, but I just had to brag.

Claudia and I were married on November 22, 2015. This is number three for both of us. The third time has been a charm for us.   

Author Bio

Joseph, Anastasia, Claudia, Lindsey and Moi at Texas Roadhouse Grill.

The Ribeye was tender and delicious.

My trophy wall, reflecting a lifetime of personal, academic and professional achievements.