More About Paul
In March of 1987 Paul had an encounter that would be life altering. As a sophomore at Virginia Tech, he was enjoying the life of a college student though enduring the lickings administered to him by the Electrical Engineering curriculum. He played #1 on the J.V. tennis team for his first two years of college and was in many ways sailing along in life quite happily. No real purpose; but no real problems. His perspective - and course in life - was about to be revolutionized and clearly defined.
Two weeks before driving to Miami and sailing to the Bahamas for Spring Break, Paul heard a knock on his dorm door. Opening the door, he was greeted by two gentlemen who identified themselves as students doing a survey for a campus ministry called Campus Crusade for Christ. The young men asked Paul about his take on several issues, including sports, career, and God. They completed the survey by asking Paul this poignant question: "Paul, if you died today and stood before God - who is all-knowing and all-powerful - how would you answer this question if he asked it: 'Paul, tell me why I should let you into my kingdom [heaven]?'" While he could have talked about going to church as a child, not living like many others in lewdness, drunkeness, etc., Paul was convicted in his heart that he did not have an answer that was acceptable even to him, let alone to God, who is holy, without sin, and is perfect. Paul experienced in those few seconds of introspection and analysis (in light of eternity) what Jesus said would happen when we hear the truth of his word and finally "get it" [see John 16:8-11]. Paul finally understood that it is not by any work(s) of our own that God unconditionally will accept us into his kingdom. Rather, it is only by putting our trust - yes, our very lives (past, present, and future) - in the hands and will of God, made possible through the forgiveness of sins found only in the eternal life of Jesus Christ. If you would like to know how to receive the forgiveness of sins that God offers you right now, please click here.
Prior to founding U-TURN, Paul worked as an engineer for Dominion Virginia Power. He provided energy solutions for commercial businesses, large industrial corportions, and several municipalities, assisting them in implementing more efficient and cost effective electric-based technologies to reduce energy costs, enhance productivity, and increase their bottom lines. In November 1996, Paul left Dominion Virginia Power to devote his full time to U-TURN.
Paul has also served on several boards and committees for various organizations and ministries in the community. Some of those appointments include the Board of Directors for the Richmond American Heart Association and The Richmond Tennis Association. He has served as a member of the Disciplinary Review Board for the City of Richmond's Police Department. He is a frequent speaker for churches, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes In Action, and various corporations primarily lecturing on ethics, leadership, purpose-driven living, and serving others. He has been featured in numerous newspaper articles pertaining to youth, faith, and service.
Paul earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech.