I grew up in a farming family living in the Ozarks of south Missouri. Then I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Physics in 2006 from University of Missouri Rolla and a Masters in Physics 2008 from the University of Missouri Columbia before joining the Naval Air Warfare Center – Weapons Division at China Lake, California. While engaging in a successful career as a Navy scientist I pursued my long time interest in aviation. Since 2008 I have built an airplane with my father (a Sonex), and I'm building another one with my father-in-law (RV-12). I also became a commercial glider pilot, and then became an instrument rated commerical airplane pilot. Still missing the enjoyment of teaching that I found while running the undergraduate physics laboratories at the universities I earned my flight instructor certificate. I always look forward to sharing the thrill of flight with others every day.