He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1978 and retired in 2000 after more than 22 years of service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Studies at Texas A&M University resulted in an M.S. Degree in Civil Engineering in 1987 and a Ph.D. in 1995. He is a registered Professional Engineer with the Commonwealth of Virginia. With more than 13 years professorial experience, he has taught a large variety of courses including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, graphic communications, engineering economy, and construction planning, scheduling, estimating, and management.