I have been in the U. S. Navy since February 2004. I graduated from boot camp in April 2004 and Fire Controlman "A" School in August 2004. I am now stationed in Norfolk, VA, onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, where I was advanced to my current rank in December 2006. My ship completed an eight month deployment recently where her crew visited Italy, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates and Portugal. Before joining the Navy, I spent two years as a graduate student at Appalachian State University. Prior to coming to ASU, I went to East Tennessee State University, first as a MBA student and later as a computer science undergraduate student until I graduated in December 2000 with a bachelor's degree in computer science. In addition, I also received a bachelor's of science in mechanical engineering degree from Tennessee Technological University in December 1996. I currently attend First Baptist Church of Norfolk, VA, where I have been currently involved since coming to the IKE.

While at ASU, I was involved in the Baptist Student Union and the Association for Computing Machinery. I was also a laboratory assistant with the computer science department from August until December 2001. I completed 26 hours towards the master's degree in computer science before I left the program in May 2003.

Other work experience that I have include assignments with IBM in Research Triangle Park, NC as a cooperative education student in 1998, TI Group Automotive Systems for a few months in 1999 as a production worker, Federal-Mogul as a cooperative education student and working on the family farm inbetween. I also served my country for a time in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

I am married. I am also a third degree black belt in TaeKwonDo, training at US TaeKwonDo Center Won in Norfolk since September. I was promoted to third degree black belt in 2006. I am a PADI-certified Advanced Open Water Diver as well as an Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver. I have three sisters (all married).