Photography was magical to me when I first
started playing around with it as a 14-year-old. My three loves quickly
became photography, adventure and the love of the outdoors. My passions
took me into the United States Navy to pursue a career as a
photojournalist. I was selected to attend the Military Photojournalism
Program at Syracuse University.
Afterwards I spent 10 years in more than
27 countries photographing history in the making. Most of the assignments
remain wonderful moments in my mind, while some assignments changed me for
life. During those 20 years of service, I documented The Gulf War, Kurdish refugees
in Northern Iraq, the Haitian refugee crisis and military operations on the
windswept tundra of Iceland.
Over the years my work won numerous awards
and in 1993 I was selected as the NPPA Military Photographer of the Year.
My last few years before retiring were as the Lead Photojournalism
Instructor for the Intermediate Photojournalism Course at Defense
Information School. I realized I had seen more of the world than the
country that I had spent 20 years defending. So, May of 2000 I left home
one last time to ride my bicycle across the United States. I pedaled three
months and 5200 miles across America. I kept a "live" web journal with the
help of my wife Suzette. It was an outrageously foolish adventure, it was
a tough three months, but I wouldn't change it for the world. It made me
who I am today.
After returning I was fortunate enough to meet with Bill Pekala, General
Manager for Nikon Professional Service, and he offered me a position with
his staff at Nikon. It has been more than two years since then and I have
come to realize this is truly a dream job. I have been assigned to
everything from the presidential inauguration and shuttle launches to the
Winter Olympics and World Cup. I am thrilled to continue my adventures as
I document the historical trek to Everest Base Camp with Jim Whittaker,
the first American to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. It is a privilege
to celebrate with him and Nikon the 40th anniversary of his great
adventure.
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