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Dalen was born in Rochester, New York but grew up in Florence, Alabama. This created a funky blend of northerner and southerner in a single body. Dalen's younger years were spent in several locations; such as, Wilmore, Kentucky and Seattle, Washington. But, the family eventually settled in Florence and this became home for him. He graduated from Bradshaw High School in Florence and then the University of North Alabama with a BS in Chemistry in 1980. He then obtained his Ph.D in Chemistry at Rice University in Houston, TX in 1984. Dalen joined the DuPont Company in Wilmington, DE and has spent a career pursuing exciting opportunities in research and manufacturing. Within DuPont, he has spent time in various businesses and organizations including printing, electronics, displays and corporate central research. Dalen holds several patents and has published several scientific articles. He is currently the global Technology Manager in the Packaging Graphics business with DuPont and is located in Wilmington, DE.
He has always been interested in writing but "never flourished" in those dreaded English courses. He says, "I often applied too much creativity to writing without regard to the grammar. I often saw grades of A/F at the top of my papers. My teachers always told me that my content was great - I just wish you could apply the rules." He hopes that he is doing better on the grammar but he adds, "spelling and grammar check software are a definitely a gift from God."
Dalen entered the freelance market in 2008. Since then he has had pieces published in the Avon Grove Sun, Devozine, Creativity Portal, The Secret Place, Youth Worker Journal and Rev Magazine. His first Children's Picture Book titled, "Just a Quilt?" was published in February 2009.
Dalen has been an invited speaker to numerous conferences. He has been the Chairman of the United States Display Consortium, a member of the President's Council on Quality at Houghton College was selected as co-alumni of the year at the University of North Alabama in 2006. He is a teacher at his church and is an active leader in the youth ministry.
Dalen lives in Landenberg, PA with his wife, Mitzie. They have three children and one granddaughter.
