I grew up on a large cattle ranch in Oklahoma.  Also, we grew wheat, soybeans, and hay, as well as hunted and fished on those five square miles (which was one of the biggest ranches in the area).  Yes, we had bird dogs and I loaded my own 12-gauge shotgun shells.  I rode horses and drove farm tractors starting at a young age.  

I was on the debate team (went to the state championship) and golf team (also went to the state championship).  I worked at the local Safeway grocery store, becoming a union member in the process.  I studied math (number theory, probability, computer science) under an NSF program at SMU in Dallas, TX, then finished high school in Washington, DC as a page on the US House Floor.  I was vice-president of the student council.  As one of the graduation exercises I organized, we planted trees on the edge of the east Capitol lawn.  

For a summer job in college, I was a roughneck (lead and backup tongs, threw the chain -- I still have all my fingers) on a deep gas drilling rig in western Oklahoma.  

I am a FAA licensed pilot (glider, SEL) and certified SCUBA diver.  I enjoy hiking, skiing, sailing, and playing Ultimate Frisbee (similar to soccer) several times a week. 

I have been very happily married to Lisa for 30 wonderful years.  She is originally from Connecticut, has relatives in Reno (a family line that is traceable to more than 100 years in Nevada, the Evasovics, a Basque family), and has had her own business for 20 years in patient advocacy.  

I've donated more than 10 gallons of my O- blood.  It has been used for premature babies, cancer patients, and trauma victims.  

Education

BS, Materials Science (Device Physics) and Engineering, Stanford University

MBA (finance), University of Southern California