He previously served as chief operating officer of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), after serving as the national organization's general counsel. He is an experienced pilot (Private Pilot with airplane, single engine, land and sea, instrument airplane, advanced and instrument ground instructor ratings, and about 1,700 hours flight time) who has owned several aircraft. He is also an experienced skydiver (with 2,500 jumps) who served as a combat demolition specialist and HALO instructor in Army Special Forces.