I was born in Northwest Florida (the "panhandle" or "L.A. . . . Lower Alabama," as my mama says).  As the fifth generation of my mother's people born in Okaloosa County, I am a proud native Floridian.  

As a member of the Air Force's Senior Executive Service, my father's job required our family to relocate multiple times during my childhood and teen years.  I was blessed with the opportunity to live in a variety of locations throughout the Eastern U.S., as well as travel extensively overseas.

Following my graduation from Centerville High School, Centerville, Ohio, I entered Emory & Henry College, where I went on to graduate summa cum laude and earn the Senior Snavely Prize for the highest GPA in the Class of 2001.