Grew up in New Orleans and North Carolina.  Graduated Phi Beta Kappa, UNC.  JD, University of Virginia.  Practice maritime law for two years, and then entered the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, served on destroyers and amphibious assault ships.  Graduated with Distinction from Officer's Candidate School.  Sailed Pacific and Atlantic Oceans (deployed to Asia, North Pacific, North Atlantic, Europe and Africa).  Qualified for Command at Sea.  Graduated from Naval Postgraduate School with Honors (thesis:  Strategic Value of the Panama Canal).  U.S. Central Command and Commander Amphibious Group Two.  Associate Professor of Naval Science, University of Arizona.  Retired a Commander.  Enjoy Cowlitz County legal practice:  municipal corporations, small business, real property, and litigation.