Mac has over 30 years experience in youth development, as a teacher, principal of two tribal schools and as the driving force behind NIYLP for over 20 years. Mac is of Cherokee ancestry, with roots in both Oklahoma and North Carolina. His wife, Pauline is a member of the Navajo (Dine) Nation and they have three children and two grandchildren. He is a graduate of the Native American Teacher Education Program at the University of Washington, where he received his Teaching Certification and later completed his Masters at Arizona State University in the Native American Leadership Fellowship program. Mac has written extensively on youth development, leadership, service-learning and peacemaking. He co-authored a book entitled Wisdom Teachings: Lessons Learned from Gatherings of Elders, published in 2005. His articles have been published in Kappan, Journal of Experiential Education, Journal of Navajo Studies, New Designs for Youth and Reclaiming Youth. Mac is the recipient of the Kurt Hahn Award, named for the founder of Outward Bound, the Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, the E-Town Achievement award from National Public Radio and NIYLP’s Project Venture has been recognized with the Exemplary, Effective, Promising and Model Program Awards.