I earned a B.A. in English at St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, N.C. I also studied at Universidad de las Americas in Pueblo, Mexico, where I met my wife, Lynda. We lived and worked in San Francisco, Italy, North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York City before relocating to New Mexico 2002. During my 20 years in New York, I  worked as a writer and editor at New York University, where I earned a master’s degree in American studies.

Before joining the Public Affairs Office at NYU, I worked as a substitute teacher in the San Francisco Community College District, editor of the Portola (CA) Reporter, stringer for The Nevada State Journal, public relations writer at the University of the Pacific, public relations officer for St. Andrews College, and writer and editor at Rutgers University.