Biography

I was born in Des Moines, Iowa and lived in that great city until I entered graduate school in 1990. My parents still live in Des Moines, and most of my family reside in Central and East Central Iowa.

I graduated from Des Moines North High School in 1986. During my time at NHS, I swam as a member of the boy's swim team, and played flute and then tuba in the school band. I also swam for coach Lonny Kerman and the North Side Swim Team from 1978-1988.

I hold a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Missouri - Columbia (2005), a M.S. in Computer Science from Michigan Technological University (1992), and a B.S. in Computer Science from Drake University (1990).

I am currently employed by the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) as an Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems. Prior to joining the ULM faculty, from 1999 to 2005, I was employed by Columbia College of Missouri as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science. During the years 1995 to 1998, I was employed by the University of Missouri - Columbia as an Adjunct Instructor of Computer Science.

I am a member of many professional organizations, including the Association for Computing Machinery, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Computer Science Teachers Association, the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, the American Radio Relay League, the Louisiana Academy of Sciences, USA Swimming, and the Louisiana Local Swim Consortium.

I hold an Amateur Extra Radio License (KE5LKY) issued by the United States Federal Communications Commission and tinker with digital communication over amateur radios. I am also a licensed USA Swimming official and often spend one weekend a month officiating swimming meets for the Bulldog Aquatics Club, my sons' team USA Swimming team

When not at work, I spend most of my time with my lovely wife, Allison, and my two sons, Adam and Connor. I enjoy swimming, printmaking, and reading science fiction/fantasy and American historical non-fiction.

The above picture is of me answering student questions during Kiroli Elementary School's ARISS contact, which occurred at 18:10 UCT on Thursday, September 22nd, 2011.

My Curriculum Vitae, current as of April 10th, 2013, is available at the bottom of this page.