I was born in December of 1987 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. I grew up in Berrien County, living in almost every municipality in northern Berrien County including St. Joe, Benton Harbor, Bridgman, Stevensville, Coloma, and Watervliet.
I graduated from Watervliet High School in 2006 and will graduate from Western Michigan University in April of 2010. At Watervliet High School, I placed 1st in the state of Michigan and 14th in the nation for Computer Networking in Business Professionals of America competitions. At Western Michigan University I have been studying Philosophy, History, English, and Political Science in varying capacities – I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy in April of 2010. While at WMU I have served as the Information Technology Coordinator for the Western Student Association and as Vice-Chair of the Western Student Association’’s Allocations Committee, overseeing the allocation of hundreds of thousands of dollars during my tenure.
In addition to my educational career, I am a self employed Software Engineer and author living in Oshtemo Township, Michigan. I am very passionate about animal rights; I’m a member of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (ASPCA). Other memberships I have include the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Citizen, the Free Software Foundation, the Michigan Green Party, and the US Green Party.
I recently served as a Technology Columnist for the Tri-City Record, before leaving to pursue greater public service and business projects. In August of 2008, I completed and published my first book, Exit 41: Life in Small Town Michigan which I licensed under a Creative Commons license.
