Terry's life journey began in the idyllic, small-college town of River Falls, Wisconsin, where he spent his formative years. In 1981, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in Parks and Recreation Administration, setting the stage for a life of adventure and exploration.
As a deck officer on tall ships, Terry spent several years sailing the high seas, where he developed a passion for writing and a sense of adventure that would stay with him for the rest of his life. In 1979, he was one of 44 Americans selected for Operation Drake, a British-American international youth service expedition, which further fueled his sense of adventure and desire to make a difference.
Terry's love of adventure led him to return to Papua New Guinea in 1983, where he led an international team in the construction and sailing of a 43-foot traditional outrigger canoe. For his leadership and service, he was honored with the British Scientific Exploration Society's "Bish Medal" for exploration and cultural preservation, becoming the first American to receive this prestigious award. He was invited to London to receive recognition from Prince Charles and appeared on British television, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the field of exploration and cultural preservation.
After his marriage in 1987, Terry turned his focus to screenwriting and film production, studying with some of the most renowned screenwriting teachers in the industry, including Academy Award nominee Janet Roach, Robert McKee, Dr. Linda Seger, and Michael Hauge. His script, "Kate Loves Spiffy," was a semifinalist in the Academy Awards Foundation Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft.
In 2000, Terry joined the staff at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington as a Lecturer and Internship Director in the Film Studies Department, teaching courses in screenwriting and film production. He has continued to write, produce, and direct under his own production banner, A Bunch Of Us Productions, and remains a respected and accomplished figure in the world of film and television.
