I grew up in Minnesota, starting in the Twin Cities (around Minneapolis), and got my undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of Minnesota, Morris, a selective small liberal arts college. Following that, I moved back to the Twin Cities, getting my PhD in Physical Chemistry at University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. During that time, I got married to DeEtte and had my first son, Tommy. Then, I went all around, starting in Athens, Greece for a one year postdoc at National Technical University Athens. During that year, my son Lucas was born. Next, I went to Richland, Washington (which is in the middle of the desert by the way) for three years doing a postdoc at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Ashton, my third and final son was born during that time. I have been in Ruston since 2007, which is approaching familiarity.

Most of my off-work time was devoted to family, until my boys grew up. Still, I spend quite a bit of time doing newer things, like helping them with college homework (I forgot how difficult college level math is). Now, I play quite a bit of tennis, which is nice as my wife and youngest son play. I also exercise (weights and cardio) a fair amount and really enjoy reading (ironic as I hated reading as a kid). I have two adult sons now, both at LA Tech, which is the best school for the money for students interested in technical subjects (and no, they didn't pay me to say that, but if that interests a LA Tech booster, I can give you my wife's Venmo, wink). My oldest is an engineering technology student, and my middle is a sustainable supply chain management major. My youngest son is at Ruston HS, with a potential interest in medicine, but seems to have an engineering heart. My wife teaches gifted and talented for Lincoln Parish, including AEP Elementary, Simsboro, and Cypress Springs Elementary.