After earning my private pilot certificate in high school, I attended Purdue University (undergraduate) and Stanford University (graduate), studying Electrical Engineering. Although I didn't fly much in college (due to shortages of both money and time!) I started up again after school and quickly earned the instrument rating, follwed in later years by the commercial rating, seaplane rating, multi-engine, ATP, and ground instructor certificates - though not in that order.
I spent roughly 25 years in industry as a software engineer, working at a variety of companies from startups to Fortune 500 companies, on projects ranging from networking & security equipment to RFID readers to GPS navigation systems. Along the way I picked up a few patents and always continued flying as time and money permitted.
I've been married to my beautiful wife since 1996, and we have two daughters who are both currently in college. We have countless hours flying and traveling together as a family, with a lifetime of fun memories in the Cirrus. Between personal and work travel, I've flown in most states, Canada, and the Bahamas.
A few years ago I stopped working the engineering job and have started flying commercially freelance occasionally since then, mainly local day trips for non-pilot aircraft owners. Now that the kids are off to school, I'm looking forward to having the time to do some longer ferry flights.