Grew up in Northern California. My father was a mechanical engineer and prolific inventor who taught me about innovation in his fully equipped workshop in a converted horse stable. I went to Japa... Read more

Grew up in Northern California. My father was a mechanical engineer and prolific inventor who taught me about innovation in his fully equipped workshop in a converted horse stable. I went to Japan when I turned 18, on invitation by Kobun Chino Otogawa to participate in an informal cultural exchange. Lived and worked with Kanjuro Shibata, bow-maker to the emperor, and Zen archery master in Kyoto for about 2 years. Instead of returning to the US as planned, I continued across fascinating Asia for 1 year and then studied and worked in Paris, France for 7 years as a fine artist. Then I returned to California, built on to a cabin and added a studio. Started an art and design studio and contract design service for manufacturers and suppliers to big box retailers for about 10 years. Then I moved to Austin, Texas and worked for Philips Lighting as head designer, (senior manager, R+D) for 11 years, and led a design team. My designs won a number of innovation and design awards and were on the cutting edge of LED lighting, as well as extremely market-successful. In 2017, decided to become an independent designer again, as well as an investor, (instead of moving to Boston to continue my rewarding corporate career with Philips). Since then I have been trading futures and options, and taking on design projects, as well as advising my wife with her startup business. I'll write a book about it when I turn 80 ;-)