I was born in Detroit and had the pleasure of growing up in the Waialae Kahala district of Hawaii, a stones throw from Diamond Head, sandy beaches and the deep blue Pacific Ocean. I had a wonderful childhood and grew up in a much simpler time. I was blessed to receive a nomination to the US Naval Academy from Senator Sparky Matsunaga and left Hawaii when I graduated from high school but returned home during my sophomore year to graduate from the University of Hawaii with a degree in Chemistry.
Having always had a deep interest in the Navy, I followed the footsteps of “Mayo” in an Officer and a Gentleman by enlisting and going to the Naval Aviation Officers Candidate School (AOCS) in Pensacola, Florida where after 16 grueling weeks of training, I graduated at the top of my class and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Upon being commissioned, I married my wife Debbie and we moved to Sacramento, California where I received my Wings of Gold as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO).
My Naval career consisted of 4 years in Patrol Squadron Forty (Moffet Field, California), 4 years as an Associate Professor of Naval Science at the University of Arizona, and 12 years in the US Naval Reserve at Tactical Support Center, North Island Naval Air Station. I retired with the rank of Commander. While in VP-40, I was ranked as the number one Lieutenant by the Commanding Officer and performed duties as the Legal Officer and Public Affairs Officer in addition to flying as a NFO.
Upon leaving active duty, I began my civilian career by working for a health insurer in Arizona as a manager in healthcare operations. I then moved on to work for IBM as a certified project manager and now have over 20 years in project management and leadership.
I currently live in Roseville, California with my wife Debbie. I have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Yes – I am blessed in that I don’t look my age. I owe that to working out consistently and eating healthy.