Alan is a native of the British Isles. He was born into a large family living in a small mill village nestled in the rugged Yorkshire Dales. He was educated at the University of Surrey and the University of Kent at Canterbury where he earned a bachelor’s (with Honors) in microbiology and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Genetics, respectively. During his graduate and postgraduate education, he lived and worked in Germany and Switzerland on collaborative projects with Nestle and the GBF, becoming fluent in French and owning a smattering of German.

During Dr. Hartley’s postgraduate career, he became enamored of a stunning North Carolinian, Elizabeth, causing him to abandon his mother country and live in the States. He completed his postdoctoral studies at Duke University Medical Center conducting research into the molecular basis of oncogenesis (cancer). In his desire to have a more direct contact with those in need, he left a productive research career to become a chiropractor. During his chiropractic studies at Sherman College, Dr. Hartley was hired as an assistant professor teaching biochemistry and nutrition. Upon graduating, he was hired as the head of the basic sciences department. Dr. Hartley left this position after six years of service in order to open a flourishing chiropractic clinic, Lake Wylie Family Chiropractic, in Lake Wylie and assist in the care of Elizabeth’s handicapped sister.

Dr. Hartley places great emphasis on family and community service. He is a first responder and was a volunteer driver for the River Hills Emergency Services until his youngest son’s illness. He is on the scientific advisory board for the HeartBright foundation, a charity established to educate and treat low income communities at risk for heart disease. Dr. Hartley and Elizabeth have three beautiful children that keep them engaged and thankful for all Gods blessings. All children deserve a life without fear and the embrace of loving adults. It is Dr. Hartley’s hope that KOP can achieve this for a handful of the needy millions.