After graduating from NAHS, I attended Parks College of Saint Louis University, where I earned a B.S. in Aeronautical Administration. I had always had an interest in aviation. In 1976 I started taking flying lessons in gliders (long-winged variety). There I met my wife Nell (Dublin HS '77). Her dad was my instructor. Nell and I currently have commercial pilot's licenses and are rated in both gliders and airplanes. We currently own two gliders, but hope to add an airplane to the fleet.

 

Nell and I got married in 1982, shortly after Nell received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State. In addition to flying, we enjoy traveling, sea kayaking, canoeing, hiking, cycling, and sailing (more me than Nell - I started when I was five). We have no children and no pets.

 

After graduating from Parks, I found the aviation market was falling apart. I ended up working in commercial insurance underwriting and risk management. Underwriters are the people who decide what risks will be insured and under what terms. I've had a number of promotions and titles, and have worked on a variety of risks ranging from very small to very large. I've worked for multiple carriers and one brokerage.

 

After 20 years in underwriting and underwriting management, I decided to go back to college for a degree in Computer Science. Coincidentally, Nell also decided to go back to school to study Actuarial Science. We were both looking at career changes in our mid-40's, which was no small commitment. In 2002, I graduated at the top of my class with a 4.0 GPA. I also earned two academic scholarships during that time. Goes to show you that it's not too late to succeed at something completely different!

 

About half-way through my graduate education in C.S., I was called to join my current employer. My employer is an Excess and Surplus Lines (E&S) insurer, which had been my area of interest and expertise. E&S carriers insure businesses that "standard" companies don't want to insure (think Lloyds of London). I started as an N-Tier Developer and have worked my way up to Senior Business Analyst. About five years ago, I started working on a new online system that was revolutionary in our industry. It allowed me to combine my experience in E&S underwriting with my recent training in the latest technologies. It's been very well received and it continues to keep me very busy.