Jack Figel was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and now resides in Fairfax, VA. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and applied science, beginning a diverse professional career that included working for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, serving as an MIS Manager for the Executive Office of the President, and working as a worldwide PC Product Director in London. In 1991, he founded Figel Technologies International, LLC, providing independent consultancy and project management across various commercial and government sectors. Deeply committed to his faith, Jack is a Lector/Reader for the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic. He is the founder and publisher of Eastern Christian Publications (est. 1993), through which he has published over 300 books, and the founder of the Orientale Lumen Foundation (est. 1997), which organizes annual ecumenical conferences and pilgrimages to foster dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.