Originally trained as a mathematician (BA, MA and PhD from Yale, Harvard and University of Southern California, respectively) He worked as an applied mathematician for many years before becoming a high school Headmaster. In 1979 Jack started an experimental school in Los Angeles, where the use of council in schools was initiated. This led to council programs in other independent and public schools in California, as well as in other parts of the US and abroad. By the 1980’s Jack found his path as a counselor, educator, writer, and council trainer.

He has been in private therapeutic practice for couples and individuals since 1975 and, with his life partner, Jaquelyn McCandless, MD, conducted numerous relationship intensives for couples in the US and abroad. They are co-authors of Flesh and Spirit: the Mystery of Intimate Relationship (1998) and Jack and Jaquelyn: An Adventure in Evolutionary Intimacy (2014). Love Beyond Boundaries: An Elder Explores the Evolution of Intimacy was published in 2023. He has trained and mentored countless council facilitators and trainers over a period of more than forty years and is the co-author (with Virginia Coyle) of The Way of Council, now in its Second Edition (2009). Jack was the President of the Ojai Foundation from 1991-2007 and retired as Board Co-Chair in January of 2008 after many years of serving in that capacity.