Born in Flint Michigan, Karl and his family moved to Florida in 1973 where he graduated high school. In 1981, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and in that same year married his wife, Nancy, also a graduate of UF (Go Gators!). Karl and Nancy entered military service upon graduation and served as Officers in the United States Army until 1992. For over 30 years, they operated a small Lake Placid Feed & Western Wear business.

Before his call to First Presbyterian Church of Sebring, Karl served as a Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid. Responding to a call to ministry, Karl enrolled at Erskine Theological Seminary in 2012 where he completed the first half of his studies. After transferring to Knox Theological Seminary, Karl completed his theological studies and earned his Master of Divinity degree in 2018. He was called as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church and was ordained by the Florida Presbytery on May 22, 2022.