STC in 8 Sequences

My career path has a lot of twists and turns in it. After active-duty service in the U.S. Air Force (during which I worked at the White House), I supervised the information-technology department for the construction manager of the Los Angeles subway.

Instead of succumbing to the usual outlets for a midlife crisis (sports cars and cheerleaders), I studied art history and set design and became a game artist for Activision and 3DO.

Following the terrorist attacks in September of 2001, I decided it was time to get a "real" job. Having received training in emergency management through my work in the Air Force Reserves, I entered the field as a civilian working for the Contra Costa County (CA) Office of Emergency Services, then moved to similar functions at the University of California at Riverside, Sprint and Ericsson, and now the City of Buena Park.

I'm a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserves; in my last few years, I served as an intelligence officer. I have degrees in computer science from UC Berkeley and emergency services administration from California State University at Long Beach.

I've been diving since 1999 and hold advanced open-water, rescue diver and EAN certifications. I've been intrigued by shipwrecks and maritime archaeology since growing up watching Jacques Cousteau, Sea Hunt and National Geographic specials on TV. In 2006, I studied maritime archaeology with the Aegean Institute in Greece.

I travel extensively with my wife and incorporate my experiences and impressions in my novels. We have a very large cat who contributes to my writing through a passionate love of fish.