My wife Phyllis and I were both born and raised in Tucson Arizona.  We graduated from Palo Verde High School together in 1977.  After high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served my country at Camp Pendelton, California until my honorable discharge at the rank of corporal.  The Marine Corps taught me honesty, discipline, leadership and perseverance; the values that helped make me the man I am today.  Looking back, I realize that these principles formed the foundation of my character and, ever since, have provided a constant source of strength and clarity.

Upon leaving the Marine Corps, I returned to Tucson and went to work for IBM.  I also enrolled in classes at Pima College because I felt the need to continue my education.  At the same time, I joined the Arizona Army National Guard.  After eight successful and productive years at IBM, I took an educational leave of absence, moved to Flagstaff and enrolled at Northern Arizona University where I earned a BS in Criminal Justice (with a minor in Communications) in 1990.

I then moved to Colorado Springs where I trained in judo at the Olympic Training Center and the National Judo Institute.  The discipline offered by having the opportunity to train at that level was the challenge of a lifetime.  I will be forever grateful for the privilege as it has positively impacted all my future endeavors.

I then moved back to Tucson and joined the Pima County Sheriff’s Department where I developed the skills, experience, institutional knowledge and vision that makes me the best candidate to assume the office of Pima County Sheriff.