He earned a degree in communication/public relations: a writing degree, from Weber State University in Utah where he walked into the offices of the school newspaper and announced that he wanted to be a reporter. Two days later his first article was published. Prior to his senior year in college, he worked at a goldmine near Fairplay, Colorado. He earned a master’s degree in corporate and professional communication from Radford University in Virginia. He has taught communication and public speaking for over 25 years. He has worked in credit unions for over 35 years in marketing, training, branches and leadership. He has extensive volunteer experience on various boards. He enjoys writing, teaching, running, oil painting and gardening. He and his wife are the parents of four children and one dog.