Ronald L. Howell

As a young boy growing up in Garden Grove, California, I enjoyed writing short stories in English class but struggled a little with reading the stories in front of the students in class. As life led to college and a short four year career in the U.S.A.F., I began to expand my horizons and developed a knack for training and consequently production of written materials for electronics equipment operation and repair, while in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Through my working career as a young electrical design/test engineer, I again relied on my writing and illustration skills to prepare many engineering related documents and training programs for company staff and clients alike. During early projects designing equipment for the NASA - Manned Space Flight Center program and Nevada Test Site – Underground Nuclear Testing Facility, I became quite proficient in producing design proposals and extensive equipment test documents. Later in my career, I took Bill Gate's advice and grew with the internet and cross trained as a software developer and later into web site design and development.

Now, as a semi-retired programmer, my interests are in writing local Ormond Beach, Florida history, performing re-enactments for educational purposes, film production and book publication for local clients. I have a few books in the works (as all authors should) and thoroughly enjoy working with my wife as she writes, performs and critiques our works...

My wife Alice and I have been married since 1978 and have shared many dreams, experiences and adventures as we traveled around the world. Our books are one of those Dream Come True events that has been nurtured over the past two decades and made possible through our shared interest in knowing the history surrounding our home environment, Halifax Country.

Alice is an author, co-author, and editor of several books that we work together on.

Ron is:

... A 55-year resident of Volusia County, is a professional electronics design engineer, software design engineer and recent Information Technologies Manager.

... Engineering technical writer (written over 200 electronics equipment books and computer related user guides).

... Currently a semi-retired web developer, graphics designer, author and publisher.

... Former board member of Ormond Beach Historical Society and member of several other local historical organizations.

... Recently served on Volusia County Historic Preservation Board for 3-years.

... Author/co-author and publisher of seven Ormond Beach history books since 2006.

... Re-enactor and presenter of Ormond/Daytona Beach history for schools, churches, businesses, clubs and resorts.

... Film (DVD) developer and producer for several Ormond and Daytona history related projects.

Volusia County has been our home since the early 1970 s and we have sought out many events in both east and west Volusia as progress has both enriched and disregarded our historical past. We have watched and participated in activities bringing such structures as DeBary Hall back from near ruin. We have attended art festivals on the wooden verandas of the grand Hotel Ormond, before its demolition in 1992. We have developed reenactment programs for all age groups and have been fortunate enough to delight our audiences, as we portray early Ormond settlers. Alice and I have shared researching, writing, and publishing several books and look forward to continuing in the years ahead. These treasured experiences have kindled a desire to help, in our own way, preserve the history of Ormond Beach and surrounding communities belonging to our Halifax Country.