Paul was born and raised in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Upon graduation from Bridgewater Junior Senior High School Paul attended the Lunenburg Regional Vocational School and received a Diploma in Mechanical Drafting. Paul then went on to attend St. Mary’s University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and then attended the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS) where he received a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies and a Bachelor of Architecture. Paul began his architectural career at the firm of Fowler Bauld & Mitchell Ltd. From Fowler Bauld & Mitchell Ltd. Paul went to work for the firm of William Nycum & Associates Ltd. as Vice President until January 2003 when he joined John K. Dobbs & Associates Inc. Paul became a Registered Architect in 1985 and is a Member of the Nova Scotia Association of Architects and is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Paul is very involved in volunteering for both professional and community organizations. He spent 10 years as an Elder at Fairview United Church and served as Chair of the church’s Executive Council for 8 years and is currently Chair for the Ministry & Personnel Committee. Paul is a past Potentate of Philae Temple (Shriners of Nova Scotia & PEI) and has been Chair of the Children’s Travel Fund Committee since 1991. Paul is currently Chair of the Northeast Shrine Association Meetings to be held in Halifax in September 2010 and is currently on the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital for Children in Montreal. Paul is also active as member of the Masonic Order and the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite. Paul chairs a fundraising committee for FEED Nova Scotia which in 2004 & 2005 has raised approximately $60,000.00 in cash and collected in excess of 34,000 pounds of canned food. Paul is also an active member in Rotary International.

Paul is Past President of the Nova Scotia Association of Architects and is the Nova Scotia representative on the Canadian Committee of Architectural Councils. Paul is currently on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity HRM, and is currently Chair of the Program Advisory Committee for the Architectural Engineering Technician Program at the Nova Scotia Community College. He is past Treasurer and Past President of the Design Construction Institute of Nova Scotia and is also a past member of the Board of Directors for the Project Management Institute of Nova Scotia.