I grew up in the northern Virginia area around Leesburg. My family has always encouraged me to go forward with my dreams and with that in mind, I started my first job at age 14 to pay for ground school (Av-Ed). After passing the FAA written exam, flight training came next at Leesburg airport (Janelle Aviation). As soon as I reached my long awaited 16th birthday, I soloed in a Cessna 152 for the first time. I actually started yelling out loud in the cockpit after takeoff from the pure excitement of flying alone. After changing flight schools to Control Aero in Fredrick, Maryland and turning 17 years old, I received my pilot license.

Just after soloing for the first time I started a job with Atlantic Coast Airlines at Dulles Airport. That was the absolute best job for someone in my position and I was extremely lucky to get it. Working as a parts clerk, The mechanics were happy with my enthusiasm and they found it fun to teach me as much as I could know about the fleet. I was also in a position to go poking around the airport and talk with so many pilots and mechanics that sometimes I would come across an incredible opportunity like running the engines on a 727. After my 1995 graduation from Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia, I quit ACA and left for college.

It wasn't hard to pick the University of North Dakota as the best school for my career path. They are world renowned for their aviation training. I'm now a senior and still love going to school. All my highschool teachers told me I was going to have trouble in college but my GPA is 3.70. I guess public schools are doing something wrong. My major is commercial aviation and so far I have earned my Commercial, Multi-engine land, Instrument, and CFI ratings and certificates. Currently I'm working on my CFII (certified flight instructor - Instrument)and expect to be done this semester. My graduation date is set for May, 1999.

I always try to take advantage of any opportunity put in front of me but now I am trying something different. With the help of the internet, I am trying to go out and find more opportunities that will hopefully utilize my skills. When I come home this summer, I will have to go to OCS until mid-July. When I get back, I hope to have found someone that will let me fly right seat in a multi-engine aircraft around Leesburg Virginia whether it be for pleasure or business. I would like to fly for hire using my commercial certificate but right now its more important to just get into the air.