Hal began his professional career in 1979 after graduating from Francis Marion University in Florence, SC where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was the 7th person hired by ACS Technologies (formerly Computer Dimensions, Inc., or CDI), with the startup software company. His first job with the company was developing where he began his career as a programmer, writing software applications for various market segments including convenience stores, insurance companies and mobile home dealerships. As the company began focusing more on the church market, Hal began spending more of his time working on church management software. In the early 80's the nation entered a recession and the staff was reduced to the founder Harris Rogers and Hal. Hal became Vice President of the company and in typical small-business fashion, did whatever needed doing. That included making sales calls, visiting clients to help install the programs, training clients on how to use the software, answering calls from clients needing help – and continuing to developing software for the church market. Gradually, the company began making progress and hiring a few people. 

In the fall of 1983, founder Harris Rogers left the company to start another business and Hal was given the responsibility of day-to-day operations of the company, then Computer Dimensions. Hal was named President/CEO the following year, 1984, when the company had ten employees and about one hundred clients. Under Hal's leadership, ACS Technologies made it's first profit in 1986 and has been profitable every year since and acquired six competitors. Today ACS Technologies is the undisputed leader in the Church Management Software market with more than 300 employees and nearly 50,000 church, organizational and non-profit faith-based clients throughout the United States, Canada and several foreign countries. 

• In 2002, Hal and 3 other company owners were named the South Carolina Small Business Persons of the Year. This award recognizes small businesses who exhibit a substantiated history (market-wise and financially) as an established business, growth in number of employees as a contribution to impact of the business on the job market, sales growth, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity and involvement in community-oriented projects.
• He was a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program for the years of 2002, 2003 & 2004. 
• He was named 2004 Business Person of the Year by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. 

• Outstanding Alumnus in the School of Business in 1994. 
• One of 25 Outstanding Graduates during the University’s 25th Anniversary in 1995. 
• Hal received the 2003-2004 Outstanding Alumnus of Francis Marion University. 

• President of the FMU Alumni Association.
• Past President’s Advisory Board.
• Current Secretary of the FMU Foundation Board. 
• Appointed by Governor Mark Sanford to the governor’s seat on the FMU Board of Trustees where he currently serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee.
• Serves on the Advisory Board for three FMU Center for Entrepreneurship. 

Hal began his career in photography in 1972 after graduating from Southside High School in Florence. With a camera purchased from a friend he began taking pictures as a hobby. As his love for photography grew so did his expenses. Hal began doing work for others soon to earn money to pay for his hobby. That grew into a business that included weddings, portraits, commercial and anything else that would allow him to continue his hobby. At the same time his interest in photography was growing Hal was attending college. He worked full-time for WBTW as Film Production Manager for a few years and part-time for Francis Marion in various positions as he worked on his degree. At the same time he continued running his photography business and eventually received a degree in Business Administration from Francis Marion University. 

After graduating from College in 1979, beginning a career in the Computer Software business and starting a family, photography was put on the back burner in 1985. "I packed up my darkroom and studio equipment and sold most of my cameras. I kept one camera, an Olympus OM-1, for family pictures." 

In 2000, digital cameras were beginning to challenge the traditional film cameras. "I bought my first digital camera in 2000 and was hooked. Using the computer I could now do everything I did in my darkroom." Today Hal uses a Nikon D3 digital camera, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and prints on an Epson Stylus Pro 3800 printer. 

Hal and his wife Melaine have two daughters, Maggie (22) and Abby (18). They are active members at First Presbyterian Church in Florence. He has previously served as a Deacon, Elder, chaired the Evangelism and Administrative Committees, and served on the Congregational Life and Missions Committees.