I was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and lived most of my childhood there. While in high school, I was fortunate enough to train in Isshinryu under an excellent instructor, Sensei Wayne Wayland, where I progressed to the level of green belt. When I left for college at Virginia Tech, I was unable to keep up my Isshinryu studies, but it left me with an appreciation for the Okinawan styles of karate.
I graduated from Virginia Tech in 1989 with a degree in Computer Science. In 1990, I married my wife, Kelly, and we moved to Austin, Texas in 1991. Our son, Matt, was born in 1992, followed by three daughters -- Aubrey in 1994, Carlisle in 1997, and Delaney in 2000. During that time, I attended the Southwest Texas State University Master's Degree program, emerging with a M.Sc. in Computer Science.
In October, 1996, I was introduced to Sensei (now Shihan) Ty Yocham, and began training in Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. I had been looking for a traditional Okinawan karate school for a number of years, and was ecstatic to find one. I have trained with Yocham Shihan from that time, receiving my first degree black belt in January, 2002, my second degree black belt in June, 2003, and my third degree black belt in February, 2008. When I received my third degree black belt, I was also awarded an instructor rank, and the authorization to open a school of my own.
In May of 2008, I was laid off after 11 years working for Hewlett-Packard in Austin. Kelly and I had been talking about moving back to Virginia for several years to be closer to our families, so we looked at the layoff as a real opportunity. I was very pleased to find a position at a small startup, Librato, Inc.,in Blacksburg. I moved here in early July, 2008, and my family followed in August.
Unfortunately, as is the way with startups, Librato had a round of layoffs in 2010, and I have transitioned through a few jobs since then but have remained in Blacksburg. I joined Rackspace in March, 2011.