After having spent 25 years in the classroom as a middle school geography teacher, I joined the School District of Manatee's Instructional Technology department as an Instructional Technology Specialist in 2003. I am a 5th generation native of Manatee County and product of its public school system.

My wife and I have been married for over 38 years and have two grown children... one boy and one girl. Our son and his wife have provided us with one granddaughter and another is expected in May of this year. While we enjoy our independence, we enjoy visits with our kids even more.

I have been involved in Boy Scouts since the early 80s and it is still a large part of my life outside professional and family concerns.

Within our church, I assist with the A/V side of the Sunday sermons recording and posting them as podcasts.

In my 'spare' time, I enjoy reading sci-fi/fantasy novels, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and camping.

I have been blessed with many opportunities to serve the community through volunteer work within the Boy Scout program, church, and school system and really enjoy doing so. As a proponent of donating blood, I have given in excess of 80 gallons during my lifetime and have set a goal of at least 100 gallons.