I was born and raised in Wellsville, NY, a small town in upstate New York. My father died when I was young, and my mother raised my two siblings and I. I attended Clarkson University on an Army ROTC scholarship. While at Clarkson I competed in cross country and swimming. After graduation I entered active duty with the Army and married my high school sweetheart Susan Ludden.

I served on Active Duty with the Army from 1993-1998 and had the privilege of Commanding the Headquarters Company of the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine. After five years, I decided I to leave active duty and pursue a career in law enforcement. I remained in the Army Reserve for another 21 years, achieving the rank of Colonel and retiring in 2019. In 2004 I was deployed with the 306th Military Police Battalion to Iraq and earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Combat Action Badge.

I began my career in law enforcement as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. I had the unique experience of protecting five current and former Presidents (Ford, Carter, Bush, Clinton, Bush). I was trained by the Secret Service in digital forensics and cybercrime investigations, and I knew I found my calling. Eventually I transferred to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, and finally the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) where I continued to investigate cybercrime and conduct digital forensics. After 23 years, I retired as the Resident Agent in Charge of the DCIS Cybercrime Resident Agency. I also served as a Chapter President for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association for 8 years, and I continue to serve as an instructor for the Undercover Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

During the course of my military and law enforcement careers I twice attended graduate school at night and received a Master of Science degree and Doctor of Science degree. I chose to obtain these degrees because I wanted to pursue a career in higher education after my law enforcement career was complete. After completing my degrees I worked as an adjunct professor for 10 years and now serve as a college professor teaching cybercrime and digital forensics.

I have been a long time collector of vintage technology and in 2015 I created a 501(c)3 non-profit, the Mobile Museum of Vintage Technology. Together with volunteers, I take the vintage technology pieces to conferences, shows, and schools to allow people the opportunity to use a piece of history, or relive their childhood. It is wonderful to see parents and children use a Commodore Pet, Apple IIe, or Atari 2600, and hopefully the children see the growth in technology and pursue an education in STEM.

I currently serve on the board of directors for Crime Stoppers of York County. Crime Stoppers of York County is one of the most active and successful Crime Stoppers programs in South Carolina. Crime Stoppers of York County is an active member of the Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association, an 11-state organization of Crime Stoppers programs. Crime Stoppers of York County has been recognized several times over the years by being presented with awards for productivity, fundraising and creative advertising at the Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association’s annual conferences. The efforts and results put forth by Crime Stoppers of York County were judged against member Crime Stoppers programs, serving populations of similar size, in the 11-state area covered by this association. The Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers is a working Board and is responsible for raising all funds with the help of local businesses and others in the community.