I am a proud New Englander from northeastern Connecticut. I started my college career in the beautiful Champlain lowlands with a BS in Business from the University of Vermont (where I had my "geographic epiphany"). After staying in New England for an MBA at the University of Connecticut and working in financial services for a year, I headed to central Pennsylvania for a PhD in Geography from Penn State. Ship has been my home since 1999, where my teaching and research interests lie in the areas of economic and transportation geography.
Traveling around the United States and the world is a passion of mine, and the Kansai region of Japan, where half of my family lives, is a frequent destination. Closer to home some of our (my wife and my) favorite places to visit are San Francisco, Portland, OR, Vancouver and Vancouver Island, BC, and Boston (where much of the rest of our family lives).
As someone that not only loves to travel but that also does research on airlines and airports (see below) I like to keep track of the airports I've been to. Every year I try to add a few more. Here is a sampling from North America:
While I love all sports, baseball has long been my favorite and I am a life-long Red Sox fan (though I have adopted the Hanshin Tigers as my favorite Japanese team). I continue to root for all of my college teams -- the Catamounts, Huskies, Nittany Lions, and now Ship. I used to love the NHL, but since the Whalers left Hartford I refuse to watch.
On an occasional basis I teach Geo 450: Geography-Geology Field Studies in British Columbia, Canada. When offered, this course is held in the Spring semester and includes both a significant "in-class" experience as well as a field experience in western Canada during spring break. This course was offered in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007. Due to the forthcoming Olympic Games in Vancouver, it will not be offered again until at least 2011.
RESEARCH
My research is largely in the area of economic geography. Over the years I have examined the relationship of business firm location to "learning", poverty in Appalachia, regional economic change in south-central Pennsylvania, and various transport related issues among other things. The latter has been my focus for several years. My recent research has included analyses of the market area of Harrisburg International Airport in relation to a variety of geographic and economic factors and the trucking and warehousing industries in south-central Pennsylvania (with colleague Paul Marr). My current research involves an assessment of the availability of international frequent-flyer award seats and upgrades and the relationship between air travel and the urban hierarchy.
From time to time I have worked as a economic/geographic consultant with Unison-UCG for various airport clients within the U.S.A. My work has involved GIS analysis relating to air cargo, demographic and geographic assessment of market conditions, and airport land use and noise among other things. Below is an example from an analysis I did relating to air cargo in south Florida.
Beginning in the Fall 2009 I will join a team examining the economic impact and future opportunities for Carlisle Airport in South Middletown Township, PA.
SERVICE
Service is an important part of my work at Shippensburg. For several years I have been SU's NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative. In this position I work with my faculty colleagues, student-athletes, University administration, and athletics staff to promote academic excellence and integrity, insure institutional control, and to support compliance activities. Along with hundreds of my colleagues from around the country, I am a member of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association. If you are a student-athlete and want more information, check out my student-athlete page.
Since its inception in 2005, I have been a chairperson of Shippensburg University's Research & Scholarship Program (URSP). This program, on a competitive basis, provides significant grant funding to Shippensburg University Faculty for their research and professional development endeavors.
Within the Geography & Earth Science Department, I am a member of the Facilities committee where much of my work has revolved around web development.
How to Contact Me
Office Location & Address:
210 Shearer Hall
Geography & Earth Science Dept.
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Dr.
Shippensburg, PA 17257 USA
