Growing up in the small town Flemingsburg, Kentucky, I worked in my father's garage and also mowed grass for a family who owned a Piper Cub. My fascination for flying began there while watching the fabric covered plane taking off and landing, wondering where it had flown to, understanding what made it fly... My curiosity continued through my entire childhood and after joining the U.S. Marine Corps, I realized my long term goal was to fly.

In order to achieve this goal, I transitioned from active military duty to Marine Reserves and then started Spartan School of Aeronautics where I graduated with an Aircraft Mechanic (Airframe and Power Plant) license. While working as a mechanic, I pursued my pilot's license. After obtaining my license, I started my flying career as a flight instructor. My passion for aviation led me on to getting my Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. In addition to my U.S. certificates, I hold certificates from two foreign countries.

My career as a pilot was filled with years of international flying including Africa, China, Eastern Bloc countries, Europe, India, Japan, and South America. I was fortunate to have flown many business jets including Cessna Citation Excel, Lear Jet, Sabre liners and Boeing 707 (flight engineer and co-pilot).

In pursuing a dream, I feel most fortunate to have seen so much of the world and have crossed paths with so many dynamic people who have helped shape the world. I feel blessed to have contributed to the aviation community.