born: Port Arthur, Texas

lived and breathed: I have spent the greatest part of my life thus far in Texas.  I Grew up in Southeast Texas, attending Port Neches-Groves High School and I worked in the corrections field for 10 years as an adult probation officer and drug court program coordinator.  I completed my undergraduate education at Lamar University and M.A. from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.  In 2000, my wife and I moved 1200 miles north for me to pursue a P.h.D. in sociology from Western Michigan University, which I completed in December 2006.  I am currently employed as an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater and live in Delavan, WI.

the fam:  My wife Alexandrea and I have been married since 1993. All of our family remains in Beaumont, TX.  We have two dogs (Finn & Champ) and one cat (Belle). 

proud moment: Two moments come to mind and in the following order of importance: (1) Saturday, October 5, 1991 when Alexandrea agreed to my marriage proposal; (2) December 2006 (the day I graduated with my doctorate in sociology).

favorite quote: On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." --President Barack Obama January 20, 2009

favorite hobbies/interests: tennis, computers, reading, independent film, and lionel trains (not in any certain order).