Treasurer

I am originally from India and moved to US in 1970s. My family has lived in 15 states and have travelled extensively. I love hiking, gardening, cooking and most of all, I am a fearless traveler, love connecting with people and experiencing different cultures. The best part is meeting and sharing my world with others, locals, fellow travelers and just about anyone.

I want us to have a warm feeling in our heart and mind, feel positive about the world we live in and feel togetherness, peace and erase those boundaries between us. My goal is to expand and strengthen Servas for future generations.

The desire to meet folks in other countries, learn about their cultures, families, careers and lives, and exchange friendship drove so many of us to join Servas, as I did in 1979. I have visited dozens of hosts, some becoming life-long friends; and I have hosted hundreds of travelers of all ages. I have learned so much about societies, cultures, and countries that just wasn’t in the guide books.

As a Host, I often learn new, or overlooked, things about my local area as seen from the eyes of our guests.

Servas is about learning, exploration, sharing, and exchange as a driving force for understanding others. For me, that reinforces the core value of Servas being a community building peace -one friendship at a time.

I grew up in the Philadelphia area with a Unitarian / Quaker background. After college I moved into Philidelphia and became active in community development with the West Mt. Airy Neighbors Association, and have continued my community involvement wherever I have lived.

My career began as a research engineer with a manufacturing company.  Early in my carreer I moved the company into using IT systems, and eventually became the corporate IT director. In 1992 I left the company and took a one-year, self-financed backpacking sabbatical through India, SE Asia, and Australia/NZ. I became a Servas traveler in India in 1994, host and Interviewer in 1995, and active member help volunteer in 2021.

For me, making friends while traveling is the best part.  My lucky life has been full of friends and influences from other cultures, and I believe it's important to bring that to as many people as possible, especially Americans.

I've been a member of Servas and other hospitality organizations for a couple of decades, and I enjoy working with volunteer leaders to make things better, so I'm always willing to help out, so here I am.

My family lives off-the-grid in a unique forested area, so while we're not at the center of things, we are lucky to offer a special experience to those we host.

In addition, my business of travel backpacks and gear keeps me in the 'travel mindset' year-round, and I love to learn of new trends and experiences. 

I became interested in international exchanges when my son spent a year in Austria as an exchange student, eventually volunteering with AFS . Over the next 20 years I supported American students going abroad as well as hosting students and teachers from all over the world. I came to understand what a life-changing experience it can be to get to know someone from another culture on a deeper level. Servas seemed like a natural transition for me, and for many years, I served as the Office Administrator in the US Servas office.

I continue volunteering with AAUW, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). 

I have three grown sons, two grandchildren, a poodle and a cat.  In my spare time, I play golf and pickleball, participate in three book clubs and write fiction. 

Over the past 25 years, Servas has provided me with some of my most memorable experiences.  A few of the most significant relationships in my were made as a traveler and a host.  Servas provides the opportunity to hear other’s stories, and to share our story, thus promoting cultural understanding and peace.

By serving on the Servas board I hope to be a conduit to our members.  I bring decades of experience in conflict resolution and mediation; managing volunteers, and serving on the NYS Dispute Resolution Assn. for 6 years.  I enjoy empowering people and helping them to discover their full potential. 

US Peace Secretary

Through University, I lived in Europe. My wife and I worked as subsistence farmers for 10 years in Italy, returning to the US in 1980. In Florida, I became a residential home builder interrupted by 10 years of volunteer human rights documentation work in Central America for Quaker organizations. More recently I was employed by the UNDP in Italy and The Philippines. Intermittently, I have worked as a building inspector for the local County Building Department here in St. Augustine, Florida. I have been a Servas interviewer, SE regional coordinator and now am very pleased to serve as the US SERVAS National Peace Secretary!