Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I was raised by a single mother and grandparents who instilled in me faith and the value of hard work and that service is above self. I heard many stories from my grandfather about how he enlisted in the Navy and was sent to Okinawa during WWII and it was my grandfather’s service that inspired me to serve.
Immediately after graduating high school in 1990, I enlisted in the Army and was mobilized to serve in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a member of the 92nd Engineer Battalion. Upon separation from active-duty, I served with the 2nd Battalion of the 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment of the Florida Army National G
After leaving active service, I began my career with the Orange County, FL Sheriff's Office. Specializing in complex criminal investigations, I served on the Homicide, Sex Crimes, Violent Crimes, and Property Units. I also taught at the police academy and served as a Field Training Officer and Tactical Firearms Instructor.
Joining the Navy Reserve as a Naval Intelligence Officer, I was assigned to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, where I specialized in Human Intelligence collection and became a subject matter expert in human intelligence collection operations, interviews and interrogations, geopolitical matters, and transnational organized crime operations and I hold the Information Dominance Warfare Qualification.
I have an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement from Savannah Technical Institute, a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Eastern Oregon University, and an MBA from Trident University. My professional awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (2) and the Good Conduct Medal.
In my personal life, I’m simply a high school football coach, an active member in my church, and a husband and father to our six children. As someone that loves Florida and the United States, I truly care about where our state and our country is headed. Many talk about what’s wrong in the world, but few take action.
I’ve walked in the shoes of many constituents – from a family struggling to make ends meet, to the service member overseas, to the cop on the beat, to the business owner – and I hope that you’ll consider me and put your faith in me as the right person for the job to REPRESENT YOU in the Florida House of Representatives.
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