John J. Kineman, PhD.Founder, President, Treasurer, Board of DirectorsDr. John Kineman founded The Nexial Institute in 1987 to pursue Gaia theory. He is a research scientist (Ph.D.) and spiritual teacher. His higher education began in physics and geophysics, extending to ecology and complex systems in his graduate work. He entered academia in 2005, retiring from the US Civil Service as an eco-informatics expert (builder of the Global Ecosystems Database). John began spiritual practice in 1984 following a deep personal experience. In 1989 he married Patricia (Benson) Kineman, a spiritualist and teacher who led them both to investigate Vedic knowledge in India. John and Patricia facilitated ‘A Course in Miracles’ for many years in Boulder, Colorado, and more recently studied under the auspices of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Prashanthi Nilayam, India. John is combining Western and Eastern world views and developing 'R-theory' extending Rashevsky/Rosen relational complexity. He coducts scientific research at the University of Colorado in ecological theory and niche modeling (the "GEN" model) to describe adaptive and anticipatory potentials in nature and as the missing causal link for complex informatics. In 2011, he published a synthesis of relational science, called "R-theory", defining a non-dual part/whole mathematical relation (strongly reflecting Vedic philosophy) as a new approach to natural science. He publishes and conducts workshops presenting his theories and models in ecology, evolution, informatics, cosmology, sociology, and consciousness. Through Nexial, he is currently working with universities and non-profit organizations in the USA and India to establish an international education program in "Ecological Literacy Leadership".
Paul SperryV.P. for Administration, Chairman of the Board of DirectorsMr. Paul Sperry is an interdisciplinary scientist with a passion for identifying universal patterns within seemingly disparate disciplines and schools of thought. Having degrees in chemistry and systems science, he left traditional academia to investigate growing evidence of changes within the Earth system. Other interests include ancient archaeology, sacred sites and earth energies, evidence for a more advanced human history than presently accepted, and parallels between science and spirituality. Paul’s pursuit of innovative science resulted in the creation of an interdisciplinary research program that to date has awarded over $2M for research extending the boundaries of traditional science. Other endeavors where he has supported academic excellence include the University of Colorado’s Conference on World Affairs and the Society for Scientific Exploration. Mr. Sperry began his career as a research scientist for 3M Company where he adapted new technologies into marketable products. His career was interrupted during the Viet Nam war where he saw combat as an F‑111 aircrew member. He subsequently moved to the National Center for Atmospheric Research where he worked on acid rain, Arctic haze, stratospheric ozone, pollutant photochemistry and eventually became the Associate Director for NCAR’s Atmospheric Chemistry Division. He left in 1998 to assume the role of Executive Director with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environment Sciences, an institute of over 500 researchers, faculty, students and staff at the University of Colorado. He left CIRES in 2006 to pursue independent research that continues today.
John HuntV.P. for Institutional Networking, Board of DirectorsMr. John Hunt is a naturalist and UK Solicitor dealing with property and corporate law. Throughout his career, John has helped organize many non-profit organizations for the improvement of humanity. His personal inquiries into the spiritual nature of reality led him to participate in the 1977 conference "Birth of the New Age" in London, where he met leaders such as Sir George Trevelyan, Peter and Eileen Caddy, Graham Wilson (founding the first Mind-Body-Spirit Festival), Marcus McCausland (founder of the holistic "Health for the New Age"), and Diana Adkins, with whom he worked for the next two years founding a London branch of her futuristic education organization called Orb. This led to working with many leaders in alternative medicine and consciousness fields, working through Alternatives.org. John became involved with A Course in Miracles in 1977, introducing it for the first time to England. He also helped introduce Rebirthing in the UK in 1979 with Leonard Ore, and organized the Centre for Attitudinal Healing in 1982. Today, John is semi-retired in Northhampton England, pursuing naturalist, humanist, and spiritualist work with others.
Maryann SperryV.P. for Programs and Information, Board of DirectorsMs. Maryann Sperry is a graphic design artist for authors and speakers. Her business, Creative Marketing Cafe provides book covers and interiors plus a variety of marketing materials. She holds bachelor degrees in education and business with advanced training in web design, social media and graphic design.
She volunteers for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Boulder Chapter of the Society for Scientific Exploration.
Dr. John Kineman founded The Nexial Institute in 1987 to pursue Gaia theory. He is a research scientist (Ph.D.) and spiritual teacher. His higher education began in physics and geophysics, extending to ecology and complex systems in his graduate work. He entered academia in 2005, retiring from the US Civil Service as an eco-informatics expert (builder of the Global Ecosystems Database). John began spiritual practice in 1984 following a deep personal experience. In 1989 he married Patricia (Benson) Kineman, a spiritualist and teacher who led them both to investigate Vedic knowledge in India. John and Patricia facilitated ‘A Course in Miracles’ for many years in Boulder, Colorado, and more recently studied under the auspices of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Prashanthi Nilayam, India. John is combining Western and Eastern world views and developing 'R-theory' extending Rashevsky/Rosen relational complexity. He coducts scientific research at the University of Colorado in ecological theory and niche modeling (the "GEN" model) to describe adaptive and anticipatory potentials in nature and as the missing causal link for complex informatics. In 2011, he published a synthesis of relational science, called "R-theory", defining a non-dual part/whole mathematical relation (strongly reflecting Vedic philosophy) as a new approach to natural science. He publishes and conducts workshops presenting his theories and models in ecology, evolution, informatics, cosmology, sociology, and consciousness. Through Nexial, he is currently working with universities and non-profit organizations in the USA and India to establish an international education program in "Ecological Literacy Leadership".
Mr. Paul Sperry is an interdisciplinary scientist with a passion for identifying universal patterns within seemingly disparate disciplines and schools of thought. Having degrees in chemistry and systems science, he left traditional academia to investigate growing evidence of changes within the Earth system. Other interests include ancient archaeology, sacred sites and earth energies, evidence for a more advanced human history than presently accepted, and parallels between science and spirituality. Paul’s pursuit of innovative science resulted in the creation of an interdisciplinary research program that to date has awarded over $2M for research extending the boundaries of traditional science. Other endeavors where he has supported academic excellence include the University of Colorado’s Conference on World Affairs and the Society for Scientific Exploration. Mr. Sperry began his career as a research scientist for 3M Company where he adapted new technologies into marketable products. His career was interrupted during the Viet Nam war where he saw combat as an F‑111 aircrew member. He subsequently moved to the National Center for Atmospheric Research where he worked on acid rain, Arctic haze, stratospheric ozone, pollutant photochemistry and eventually became the Associate Director for NCAR’s Atmospheric Chemistry Division. He left in 1998 to assume the role of Executive Director with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environment Sciences, an institute of over 500 researchers, faculty, students and staff at the University of Colorado. He left CIRES in 2006 to pursue independent research that continues today.
Mr. John Hunt is a naturalist and UK Solicitor dealing with property and corporate law. Throughout his career, John has helped organize many non-profit organizations for the improvement of humanity. His personal inquiries into the spiritual nature of reality led him to participate in the 1977 conference "Birth of the New Age" in London, where he met leaders such as Sir George Trevelyan, Peter and Eileen Caddy, Graham Wilson (founding the first Mind-Body-Spirit Festival), Marcus McCausland (founder of the holistic "Health for the New Age"), and Diana Adkins, with whom he worked for the next two years founding a London branch of her futuristic education organization called Orb. This led to working with many leaders in alternative medicine and consciousness fields, working through Alternatives.org. John became involved with A Course in Miracles in 1977, introducing it for the first time to England. He also helped introduce Rebirthing in the UK in 1979 with Leonard Ore, and organized the Centre for Attitudinal Healing in 1982. Today, John is semi-retired in Northhampton England, pursuing naturalist, humanist, and spiritualist work with others.
Ms. Maryann Sperry is a graphic design artist for authors and speakers. Her business, Creative Marketing Cafe provides book covers and interiors plus a variety of marketing materials. She holds bachelor degrees in education and business with advanced training in web design, social media and graphic design.
She volunteers for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Boulder Chapter of the Society for Scientific Exploration.