Born January 2, 1950, St Louis, Missouri. Graduated Duchesne high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1968. Served in Vietnam with KILO company, 3rd Battalion, 26th marine regiment, 5th marine division. Wounded by a land mine February 1, 1969 and medevaced to Millington, TN naval hospital and Jefferson Barracks VA in St Louis. Discharged November 1969. Went to Alaska in May 1970. Graduate BS Civil Engineering University of Alaska 1974. Attended Stanford University until October,1976. Worked as a structural engineer until returning to Stanford in 1989. Received .a PhD in structiural engineering 1991. Started my own company GPLA in 1991. I was licensed in all 50 states. Sold my compnay and retired in 2024.