Master Bert considers himself an SM lifer, having built his first wooden stocks in 1954 (courtesy of the Cub Scouts) and started exploring out of the SM closet in 1978. Professionally he has roles as an electronic engineer, a software designer and entrepreneur, a motion picture editor, a sexologist, a researcher in the BDSM community, and a college professor.

Bert has a passion for Master/slave relationships and community. He is a founder of the Arizona Power Exchange in 1988. He is a board member of Butchmann’s, Inc., the Butchmanns Board liaison to MAsT International, and a member of the Executive Committee for the Butchmann’s Experience weekends. Bert holds the titles of Mr. APEX 1991-1992, Southwest Master 2003, and International Master 2003. Bert’s academic publications include: 2003 doctoral dissertation “Partner Selection, Power Dynamics, and Sexual Bargaining in Self-Defined BDSM Couples” and 2009 Archives of Sexual Behavior “Hormonal Changes and Couple Bonding in Consensual Sadomasochistic Activity.”

slave nadine is an instructor at Butchmann’s and APEX Academy and was part of creating the first all-women’s Butchmanns. she is a founder of the Arizona Power Exchange in 1988 and an incorporator of the Arizona Power Exchange Corporation [a 501(c)(7) corporation] in 2001. slave nadine holds the titles of Southwest slave 2003 and International slave 2003. she met Master Bert at a spiritual-sexuality seminar in 1983, and has been growing into full time service to him since 1984.