Longtime Edmond resident

I I am a 28-year resident of Edmond. I chose to live in Edmond because of the schools. All four of my sons are products of Edmond School system and graduated from Edmond Memorial High School. I pay over $3,000 per year in property taxes directly to the Edmond School District. It’s time to learn what we get for our money. I am willing to do whatever I can to improve the performance of our students, and our schools.

About my background

I am a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. I served 32 years in the Air Force – all in leadership positions. My last assignment was at Tinker AFB. I retired at rank of Colonel as the Base Inspector General. I worked 14 years for Northrop Grumman as project and program manager in leadership positions. Leadership is simply working with people to do the mission and achieve goals.

I am active in the community. I served as a Boy Scout Adult leader for 18 years and taught seven merit badges. I am a senior member of the New Covenant Church and leader of three different committees in the past. I am past Vice President of the Air and Space Force Association at the local chapter and Oklahoma State levels since 1995. I held the role of Commissioner for Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics for seven years and am a member of the Oklahoma Pilots Association. I have been President of the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) for 17 years. I have personally flown over 500 kids in the EAA Young Eagles program.

Education and teaching experience

I am a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in Civil Engineering. I hold two Masters Degrees – Aviation Mgt from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Acquisition Management from Defense Systems Management College. I taught a collegiate level for 3 ½ years at Air University, Maxwell AFB.

My family and interests

I have been married for 44 years. My first wife, Linda, passed away from cancer in January 2018.  We had two sons. One is a Lieutenant Colonel squadron commander and a C-17 aircraft commander in the Air Force and the other was an industrial safety engineer for the State of Oklahoma. I remarried Dr. Billye Peterson, a retired business professor from the University of Central Oklahoma, who also has two sons.  

I enjoy flying my private aircraft, water sports, hunting, shooting, travel and military history. To sum it up, I’m an all American God-loving family man with years of solid leadership skills.