I was raised in McAlester, where I graduated from McAlester High School. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Oklahoma. I then received my dental degree (DDS) at the University of Missouri Kansas City. After graduation I entered the U.S. Army Dental Corps and served for nine years. During my time in the military I was accepted and completed a two year general dentistry residency at Darnell Army Medical Center, Ft. Hood, TX, which included advanced training in all the specialty areas of dentistry with emphasis in oral surgery and prosthetic dentistry. Most of the remainder of my military service was spent in Germany. After leaving the service, I returned to McAlester and entered the practice of general dentistry with my father who established the practice in 1955. I have continued to practice state of the art dentistry since that time.

Professionally, I am a member of the American Dental Association, Oklahoma Dental Association, Pittsburg County Dental Society, American Board of General Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the Pete Dawson Academy Alumni Association. I served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Constituency of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) for twelve years and president in 1998. The AGD is the only organization of general dentists dedicated to professional development and life-long continued dental education in order to provide quality patient treatment. As an AGD member I am wholly commited to continuing dental education. I was awarded Fellowship status in the AGD in 1984 and Mastership status in 1987. I achieved qualification status by the American Board of General Dentistry in 1990.

My wife, Charlotte, and I live with our three volunteer dogsthey continue to come to our house (apparently the word is out that we are easy touches). Our daughter, Sarah, is a nurse in McAlester, and our son, David, is a career naval officer currently stationed in Bahrain where he is the installation engineer. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time on the golf course or at the McAlester Regional Wellness Center or reading (not necessarily in that order). I also enjoy the guitar--not much of a player but I consider myself a good collector.