I was born and raised in Southern California. I joined the Church when I was 18 and served a mission to Argentina, Buenos Aires South which was divided and I served in Argentina Bahia Blanca. When I returned home I met, fell in love with, and married Kathleen Ann Bolton in the Los Angeles Temple.
We have seven children (five boys and two girls).
I received a Bachelor’s degree from BYU-Provo in finance, a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (USC) in Religion and Social Ethics.
I was involved in business and entrepreneurship before I went to work as a full-time Institute Director CES Coordinator in Southern California at the Glendora and Claremont Institutes for the Church. After twelve years as an Institute Director and Coordinator, I came to teach at BYU-Idaho in the summer of 2005.
I love to teach and to learn. For me, there is nothing so exciting as being in a classroom with students who are anxious, bright, and ready to learn by study and by faith.
Unique things I have done:
- Swam across the San Francisco Bay for the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon.
- Went on The Price is Right and won a stove, a mop, and a barrel sauna.
- Went on the History Channel to represent the Church.
- Participated in a radio show in Southern California where callers could ask me any question about the Church.
- Played the drums with a group of institute students at the Hard Rock Café in Los Angeles.
- Played the Drums at Guitars Unplugged in the Fall of 2005 and the Winter of 2006 (Our group made it to the “Best of” both semesters).
- Played chess in the US Open Tournament in 1991 in Los Angeles (My first match was against Arnold Denker who had previously beat Bobby Fisher . . . he worked me!).
- Have spoken at Christian Colleges and Universities on the Church.
- Led 6 Community Firesides about the Church where thousands attended. This is featured on the Website Fairlds.org
Bio from BYU Idaho: https://emp.byui.edu/baronr/aboutme.htm
Photo courtesy of BYU Idaho