Before attending law school, Mr. Stepina was a research and development technician for a snowmobile manufacturer and an engineer in the water purification, automated equipment, semiconductor and medical device industries. He received his J.D. from the University of Houston where he was a member of the Order of the Barons, interned for the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and graduated cum laude. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University and has completed additional class work in vacuum and thin film technology. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer.