Originally from Johnson City, Tennessee where he attended and graduated as salutatorian in the last segregated class of Langston High School in 1965. Played varsity basketball and football. Selected as the “Tri-State Conference Lineman of the Year” as a senior. Subsequently attended Tennessee State University from 1965 through 1968. While there, was a 2 year letterman as a member of TSU’s “Tiger Sharks” swim team competing in the 200 meter breaststroke and 1 meter diving events. Also pledged and became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through the TSU “Mighty Rho Psi” chapter as Dog Captain of the “Unquestionable 15” line of 1966.
Joined the U.S. Air Force in 1968 and served in their Strategic Air Command’s ground radio operations (air/ground operations and forward controller duties) through 1976. Duty stations during this period included Clark Air Base, Philippines (2 tours), Taegu, South Korea, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota and Dyess AFB, Abilene Texas. After being Honorably discharged, resumed educational pursuits and graduated with a BS in Chemistry from McMurry University and follow-up postgraduate studies (MBA from Abilene Christian University and a MS in Finance from Hardin-Simmons University) completed in 1979.
Professional career included stints at Pride Refining, Inc., Abilene, Tx (QC Chemist and subsequently Purchasing Manager), Union Pacific Resources, Inc. (Corporate Lead for Chemical Procurement) and Fidelity Investments (retiring in 2014 as VP of Corporate Procurement). Re-engaged with Fidelity in 2015, and am serving to present, as a consultant to their Corporate Procurement Contracts Group, mainly responsible for leading negotiations and drafting related contractual documents associated with the company’s technology and professional services needs.
Have owned 3 Vettes including a 1976 C3 T-topped black coupe, a 2008 Jet-Stream Blue C6 couple (“Tu Cold”) and currently a 2015 C7 Daytona Sunrise Orange z51 coupe (“Tu Cold 2”). Past member of Lone Star Corvette Club and Unique Corvettes of DFW. Founding and current member of the “DFW Corvette Association” and have served as club Treasurer, Vice-President and President. Member of the ICCC since 2008 and have served as the Charity Committee chairperson since 2016. Won “Best of Show” in the Memphis “Show your Ride” car show in 2009, 2010 and 2019 as well as the 2009 and 2014 ICCC Annual Conventions in New Orleans and Little Rock. Other ICCC awards include the 2015 and 2018 Annual Convention Light Show and Annual Convention Domino’s Champion in 2015, 2016 and 2018.
Current interest is exploring various 4-wheel ATV riding activities in order to continue fellowship opportunities with my local club members while addressing the pandemic spacing restrictions.
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