Graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1978 and received degrees from Del Mar College, Sul Ross State University, and Lamar University. I taught in the Texas Public Education system for 37 years as an elementary music instructor, a Middle School band director, and a High School Band Director. My High School bands earned 35 years of Sweepstakes and advanced to the Texas State Marching Contest and the Texas State Honor Band Contest several times finishing as high as 3rd and 5th respectively. I owe much of my success to colleagues who were generous of their time and expertise and feel that sharing their knowledge through my judging experiences is a way to "pay it forward". We have many greats in our profession and I am fortunate to have had John Faraone, Jeff Stone, Bryce Taylor, Lee Boyd Montgomery, and Alfred "Buzzy" Green shape my career!