I serve as an advocate for Gold Star families, those who have lost loved ones in defense of the United States. I perform this mission on the staff of Congressman Dan Newhouse (Washington District 4).

"Mission-Ready" part-time employee, prepared to mobilize and deploy in response to a disaster event anywhere in the state of Washington. Mission spectrum includes Damage Assessment; Community Relations; Case Processing to assist survivors in accessing government benefits; and liaison with charitable and faith-based organizations providing disaster relief. Maintain proficiency through regular participation in scheduled training events as well as on-line FEMA classes.

Plan, coordinate, and manage the delivery of recovery assistance to people impacted by disasters. Anticipate the needs which might be created under multiple hazard scenarios. Integrate the planning of federal, state, local, and charitable organizations. Advocate for victims to obtain for them the resources they need to achieve their own recovery. Recruit, train, and manage a pool of 80 "Disaster Reservists" who are available to respond when disaster strikes.

Manage a small record label specializing in folk musicians and songwriters from the Pacific Northwest. Produce audio and video recordings; market and distribute product; assist affiliated artists in career development. Tour nationally and internationally as a performing folksinger, giving concerts and workshops. Advocate for veterans' causes. Support the preservation and performance of important roots of folk music, especially the traditional songs of American and Canadian cowboy and frontier culture, and the work-songs ("sea shanties") from the days of sail. Organize and direct music education workshops, including Sea Shanty Camp and Cowboy Song Camp.

Principal adviser to the G-6 (Communications) Staff of the Afghan National Army. Provided mentoring and professional assistance on all aspects of Command, Control, & Communications (C3) to include network architecture, force structure, equipment selection and procurement, frequency management, and individual and collective training. Concurrently served (in drill status as an Army Reservist) as Deputy J-6, Office of Military Cooperation Afghanistan (OMC-A).

Progressively responsible roles as Command & General Staff College Instructor, 5046th USAR School, Denver, CO: Observer-Controller Branch Chief (Signal Corps & Field Artillery), 1st Maneuver Training Command, Denver, CO: Brigade S-3 (Operations Officer), 4th Brigade, 91st Division, Tumwater, WA; Battalion Commander, 2nd Battalion, 91st Training Regiment, Fort Lewis, WA: Brigade Executive Officer and Acting Brigade Commander, 7th Brigade, 104th Division, Fort Lewis, WA; Assistant Professor of Military Science (Army ROTC Instructor), University of Washington. Retired in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel (O-5).

Coordinated the implementation of "Phase I" and "Phase II" wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 throughout a 14-state region in the western United States. Served as T-Mobile's lead in dealing with local dispatch centers (PSAP's), state government agencies, land-line telephone service providers, and third-party vendors. Exercised personal diplomacy to overcome long-standing friction and hostility among many of the players, and encourage cooperative efforts toward the common goal. This project enabled the routing of cellular 9-1-1 calls to the correct public-safety dispatch center, with accurate display of the caller's physical location.

Took charge of a county 911 project at risk of failing state-imposed deadlines and performance standards. Developed the network; oversaw construction of the 911 center; procured equipment; hired and trained the staff; and achieved the required operational capability on-time, within budget, and in compliance with state regulations. Organized and coached the staff of 34 dispatchers, supervisors, and technicians. Oversaw the coordinated close-out of 5 small, obsolescent dispatch centers and transition to a single, state-of-the-art consolidated center serving the entire county of 100,000 people.

Planned and supervised the implementation of “Enhanced 9-1-1” emergency phone systems serving nearly 6 million people statewide. Developed statewide technical standards of service. Assisted local governments in developing E911 implementation plans, developing RFP's, and assessing vendor proposals. Facilitated planning efforts among local and state agencies, telephone service providers, and third-party vendors. Served as the project's "trouble-shooter" to identify and overcome "show-stoppers" in a timely manner. Achieved the required operational capability in all 39 of Washington’s counties, on-time and within budget.

Emergency communications director for a city of 140,000 people. Directed the operations of the city’s emergency dispatch center, to include 9-1-1 emergency phone operations; police, fire, and ambulance radio networks; public safety computer systems; tornado and flash-flood warning systems; and emergency power generators. Managed and coached a staff of 45, including call-takers, dispatchers, supervisors, and technicians. Oversaw a major upgrade project for radio systems, telephone network, and dispatch consoles during 1992-93. Served concurrently as city’s alternate Emergency Manager. Selected to serve on "Leadership Lakewood", a public-private partnership developing a vision for community improvement. Honored as “Employee of The Year”, 1993.

Progressively responsible positions as Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Intelligence Officer (S-2), 72nd Signal Battalion, Karlsruhe, GE; Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, 5th Signal Command, Worms, GE; Brigade Signal Officer, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Carson, CO: Signal Detachment Commander, 6th Region, Criminal Investigation Command, San Francisco, CA; Signal Company Commander, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Lewis, WA; Group Signal Officer, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Lewis, WA; Commander, Company B (Separate), 11th Signal Brigade (supporting Joint Task Force Bravo), Soto Cano, Honduras; Combat Developments Officer, US Army Information Systems Command, Fort Huachuca, AZ.