Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

I have solid roots in three of our ten counties.  I was born and raised in, Morganton.  For almost twenty-five years I have lived in Catawba County.  My folks were raised in Cleveland County and I still own my Grandfather’s small farm in Belwood.  After Morganton High, I attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.  I took leave from a draft-deferred job and volunteered for the military. 

I went to OCS and served three years of active duty as an Officer in the US Coast Guard.  I continued on call-up reserve for seven additional years.  After advancing to the position of Corporate Chief Mechanical Engineer, I used my Veteran’s Benefits to attend Harvard Business School and earn an MBA. 

I have worked as inventor (ten patents), Market Manager in high tech (fiber optics), Business Planner, and as Owner Operator of my own company which made precision measuring devices for the US Government.  As a business owner I had to make the payroll, manage the healthcare insurance plan and establish the 401K Pension Plan.  I am a licensed Professional Engineer in NC and an Instrument Rated Pilot with over 3,500 logged hours. 

As a citizen I have been active in Transportation, Planning, Water Quality and city government.  I was active in the recent efforts to stop a proposed water transfer from the Catawba River and gave lectures to civic groups on that topic.  I have also given lectures “Against Bush Efforts to Privatize Social Security”.  I have established my District Campaign Headquarters in a building on Sterling Street just South of Morganton. 

I am a life-long Democrat and have been active in campaigns since 1971.  I have been very active with the Catawba Democrats since 2004.

Our country is beset by many looming crises: scientific, economic, family, military and international relations.  We need someone in Washington who can bring fresh ideas and new approaches to these problems—a creative problem solver with a different perspective.  I am a product of our laboratories, farms and factories.   As a businessman, veteran, and engineer/inventor I have the creativity, knowledge and skills to work with others in Congress to solve problems in the interests of all the citizens of the 10th district. 

Some of our most pressing issues are:  jobs, healthcare and energy.  We need good, high paying jobs where our labor adds significant value.  Manufacturing has always been a strength of our region we know how to and have the work ethic to efficiently produce high quality products.  The nation’s industrial base is critical from a strategic/military standpoint and our region needs to identify target industries and re-establish itself in the world economy quickly.  I have a background in bringing new products and new technologies to market and have helped start-up businesses.  Let’s incentivize business to keep jobs here rather than give them tax breaks for outsourcing. But first, Congress must demand that our trade negotiators use our market power (everyone wants to sell to us) to get our products into foreign markets. 

The US spends more per person on healthcare than any other nation.  Yet, overall healthcare effectiveness is poor.  Out of work families can no longer afford the premiums.  Many companies are dropping healthcare benefits.  Millions are going without health coverage.  The emergency room is not an efficient or effective provider of primary healthcare.  Hospital billing policies destroy the economic future of many.  Healthcare Insurance is only available to the wealthy or the healthy.  And, employment is often denied because of pre-existing health conditions.