I have a broad background in information sciences and technology - an undergraduate major in Mathematics, a Masters in Management, and a Masters in International Relations (Political Science).  I hope that background is weird enough for you. A partial explanation for the diversity of degrees is that I retired from the Air Force as a 20-year career enlisted man and officer with almost half of it spent in assignments overseas -  in Korea, Saudi Arabia, Greenland, the Azores, and Germany (including over three years in Heidelberg and almost five years in Ramstein AB); over the years I have been in over 20 countries and 42 states.  Besides, my kids say I AM weird - but what do they know?

I started into the Information Systems Technology field through an initial love of electronics.  I might add that I spent 19 of my 20 Air Force years working in: first communications systems, then radar systems, then the merged field of communications and computer systems (or simply put, information systems).  For the next ten years, I first went back to school to study deeply in computer theory, then worked in a variety of information systems and technical security jobs in the corporate world (Electronic Data Systems Incorporated, Hughes Informations Systems Corp, EDS again (these three as a sub-contractor); and finally, SAIC - Science Applications International Corporation). Over the years in industry, I have worked in C4I (a short form for Command and Control, Communications and Computers plus Intelligence), large systems research for the DoD Joint Staff, logistics software development for NASA satellite data downlink systems, Information Assurance work for the Presidential Commission for Critical Infrastructure Protection (involving the security of the National Airspace System of the FAA), and Information Protection / vulnerability assessments / secure systems development for NSA, FBI, State governments, and  key corporate clients.  I have also spent over 20 years in teaching electronics and computer systems at the collegiate level, mostly as an adjunct - first at Community College of the Air Force (back in my enlisted days), Northern Virginia Community College, James Madison University, and The George Washington University.

As you can see, I am used to juggling work and school and family and everything else like you. With so much time spent in the classroom as a student and working a busy professional schedule, I fully appreciate the struggles and efforts you are making for your intellectual and professional growth. With over 25 years in the broad communications, electronics, computers, and varied  technical security fields, I have a good perspective on the various computing and security disciplines, which you will be studying in depth over the next ?? years.

So, I wish you success!  I will try to be available to help in any way and as best I can.

A Little More - My Academic Biography

As of: June 2010