I was born in Washington state and grew up in Washington and California. After graduating from high school I married Sandy and we moved back to Washington state. There I worked for Boeing Aircraft Corporation. In 1969 I joined the Air Force and Sandy and I had our first child, Rick. Shortly after Rick was born, we moved to Indiana where I was stationed at Grissom Air Force Base. There we had our second child, Shawn. After Indiana I was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in 1971 where Sandy and I settled and had six more children. I was fascinated to learn that my father served in Alaska at Dutch Harbor during WWII.

Currently, Sandy and I have eight children, aged 21 to 38 years, and 12 grandchildren. All the family members live in Alaska. I have been active in the Campbell Park Community Council, serving as Chairman for 6 years before my election to the Assembly. I have a B.A. in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration, primary emphasis being planning, from UAA. I also have a Professional Certificate from the University of Alaska as a City Planner. Additionally, I teach and pass on my love of history and political science as an adjunct professor at UAA. I retired from the military in 1992. Currently, I work as a civil servant for the Air Force. I represent midtown on the Assembly.

I previously served on the Assembly from 1991 to 1995, serving as Chairman from 1993 to 1995. I came back to the Assembly as a member in 2001 and served as Chairman of the Assembly from 2001 to 2005. During this time period I have served on the Board of Directors for the National League of Cities and now serve on the Advisory Board of the National League of Cities.