 Carey is an inventor who owns or shares eight ski apparel patents, including "Cat Tracks," a device which he created at age 30 to slip over the sole of a ski boot to provide increased traction when walking.Carey began officiating football in 1972 working Pop Warner football games in the San Diego, California, area after a suggestion by a friend.Progressing to the college level in 1985, he joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).