I was born and raised in Aurora, Colorado and learned about finances while working in my family's business. I gained knowledge early about commercial transactions when the family business merged with two others and was ultimately acquired by a national company. I decided then that I wanted to become an attorney. I graduated from the University of Denver summa cum laude with a double major in Political Science and History in 1976. I also attended accounting classes at the University of Denver Business School and received the highest grade in my class. I am also the Chair of the Architectural Control Committee in my neighborhood, a member and officer of the Board of my church and the pro bono general counsel to Teen Challenge of New Mexico. I enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and fly-fishing with my wife and two dogs.