GSE Team D.7550 Biographies
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Team Leader and District Governor's Representative
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| Ted is a member and past president of the
Williamson, West Virginia Rotary club. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and was
a GSE team member to Norway several years ago. Ted is a Licensed
Professional Counsellor, and works at Southern West Virginia Community and
Technical College in Williamson, WV, where he also teaches classes as an
adjunct instructor. The oldest of eight children with four brothers and
three sisters, Ted was born and raised in the Hudson Valley of New York
State.
He and his wife Pam live in Huntington, West Virginia, which is located on the border of three states, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. They have four children and they work together with a home-based international wellness business. Their website is www.thepowerofoneonline.com/uncleted. They are active in many church and community activities. Ted has a Bachelor degree in Broadcasting/Speech and two Masters degrees, one in Counselling and the other in Adult Education, from Marshall University in Huntington. |
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R. Michael Christie |
| I was born in Ronceverte, West Virginia and spent all of my
childhood on my family's beef and dairy farm. I have spent many hot summer
days putting up hay and cold winter days feeding cattle, but at some point
in my teen years I was drawn to the art world. My mother recognized my
interest and encouraged me to work with two local artists (who later
became my in-laws) to put together a portfolio for art school.
I was accepted at the Maryland Institute of Art but after one year I realized I was interested in a more traditional art form. The Institute focused more on Graphic and Modern art. So I transferred to the small one-room schoolhouse; The Schuler School of Fine Art. The first year was spent drawing before I was allowed to study the Maroger technique of grinding my pigments, cooking black oil for a medium and preparing the linen canvases. Professionally I have been privileged enough to win an article in American Artist as an emerging artist and was also selected as the West Virginia Absolute Artist which developed into full page displays in Time magazine and USA Today newspaper. I do almost every subject matter from still life to portraits and landscapes. My wife and I, along with our two sons live in a part of West Virginia that is still the "All American Small Town" and we are working the same farm that has been in the last six generations of my family. Although, I love to travel, I doubt if I will ever permanently leave West Virginia because it has been the inspiration for much of my work and a wonderful environment for my family. |
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Amber Lynn Hoback |
| My name is Amber Lynn Hoback, and I am a corporate defence
lawyer at the law firm of Jackson Kelly PLLC. I have been practising law
for approximately four years, and my practice focuses on defending product
manufactures and premises owners in personal injury claims, as well as
representing corporations in property damage disputes. Prior to practicing
law, I worked in my hometown of Huntington, West Virginia, as the Director
of Case Management for Autism Services Center ("ASC"). ASC is a
non-profit agency serving over 400 mentally retarded and developmentally
disabled clients and their families in a four-county catchment area.
Jackson Kelly PLLC has a long history of community service. Through the firm, I have been afforded many opportunities to work with some wonderful programs, such as the Fund for the Arts. In addition, I have worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Daymark, which are programs that serve at-risk youth in the Charleston area. It is also through the firm that I heard about the Rotary Group Study Exchange Program to England, which promises to be a life-altering experience since I have never travelled overseas. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, looking for treasures in antique stores and junk shops, reading murder mysteries, and spending time with my family and friends. I am very fortunate since members of my immediate family live within an hour of Charleston, making weekend visits a must whenever possible. Too, many of my friends from college continue to reside nearby, and it's always fun, as a single girl, to see how the other (married) half live. |
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Julie H. Johnson |
| My claim to fifteen minutes of fame was realized in the
first fifteen minutes of my life....1 was born with a big, shiny tooth!
This set the tone for my life's unique pathways. Growing up in rural
Virginia, I played sports to occupy my time. With meager means, I needed
to be creative to gain an education. Thus, I coupled my love of sports and
eagerness to learn by earning athletic and academic scholarships for
college. I reached several milestones in my basketball career despite
being a short and slow point guard!
While in college I began my banking career and I was hooked on the profession. Work in the Trust Department truly enabled me to reach out and touch lives. As this industry has changed over the years, I have had great opportunities to obtain certifications in both the brokerage and financial planning areas. Most of my time is dedicated to my profession and community service. I also enjoy working around the house, flea markets, antique shows and most sports. |
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Leah Noelle Spencer |
| I was born on November 24, 1977 to a loving family. Both of
my parents are musically talented. My mother plays the piano for our
church and my father sings. At an early age my parents encouraged me to
begin music lessons. I began my musical career in the fourth grade by
playing the piano. When I entered the seventh grade, I fell in love with
the trumpet and have played that instrument ever since. While in college I
studied music education. This gave me many opportunities to play music
around the United States and work with young students as well. I used many
of my summer vacations to direct high school band camps and work with
students at music camps.
When I am not playing music I teach music for the public school system. Last year I worked with children ages five a to ten years old. I teach general music to the elementary students. This coming year I plan to work with high school students. I will be leading the school band and choir. My hobbies include working as a youth director in my church, cooking, hiking, swimming, and reading. I love to spend time with my family and friends. |
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