I am a product of the West Coast. I was born and raised in California, which I believe to be the greatest state in the country for people who love the out of doors. I love Michigan, but California has it all: mountains, deserts, rivers, the ocean, and forests galore.

I grew up near the beach in Southern California in Orange County but moved to the foothills of Central California during high school. After high school I joined the Army. It was after my service that I went to college. I am an avid road and track cyclist and compete in races during the cycling season. I am also a Master SCUBA diver and a certified Scientific Research Diver. Diving has taken me to a number of the most beautiful dive sites in the world but Honduras and Fiji stand out as two of my favorites. I am also an avid cyclist; I ride both road and track bikes.