After graduating from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1961, I served in the United States Navy for thirty years. Twenty years of that service was in the Virginia Beach area. As a young jet pilot at NAS Oceana, I brought my family here for the first time in 1967. My son Mark and daughter Meg have called Virginia Beach their home for as long as they can remember. After culminating my naval career as Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier, USS Independence CV-62, my wife, Karla, and I decided to return here to the place we love.

I consider myself fortunate to have had my two children grow up and go K through 12 in the Virginia Beach school system. Through it all, my entire family has enjoyed their time here in Virginia Beach because of the exceptional quality of Life Virginia Beach holds for anyone who lives here, whether the stay is for a few years or a lifetime.