June 2000–August 2000                    Step 1, Inc.                      Overland Park, KS

This summer, I paid for my own education to add PC Client / Server and Web Development to my inventory of skills. Step 1 has a ten-week Fast Track course to teach Visual Basic and Web Mastering tools. In addition to that, I attended two other courses. I used real web sites (which I built, registered names and setup web hosting) for my homework. See My Web Sites page for sites completed or under construction. My education through this summer includes these topics:

§     HTML4 and Markup Languages, including Tables, Frames and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

§     XML Overview.

§     JavaScript to add a dynamic presentation to web pages.

§     ASP 3.0 (Active Server Pages) with VBScript to support database-driven dynamic web pages.

§     Visual Basic 6.0 Fundamentals, Database, Internet and Advanced ActiveX / Objects programming.

§     Relational Database Design and SQL - using Oracle and PL/SQL.

§     ADDED COURSE: Creating Web Graphics using Paint Shop Pro v6.02.

§     ADDED COURSE: ColdFusion 4.0 with ColdFusion Server and ColdFusion Studio using CFML (ColdFusion Markup Language).

1988–1997                    American Century                      Kansas City, MO

During the course of my 9-year career, American Century sent me to various conferences on E-Mail and RACF Data Security. Also, internal courses included SAS, Endevor, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, C++ and Personal Financial Management (with Mr. Stowers - Founder and CEO).

1978–1988                    IBM Corporation                      Burlington, VT   and   Kansas City, MO

During the course of my 10-year career, IBM provided a vast education in their internal training programs, including courses like JCL, Utilities, Programming, Data Security, Relational Database design and administration, along with various IBM Fourth-Generation Languages, then through a one-year curriculum called IBM Marketing Boot Camp (when I moved to the Kansas City Marketing Branch Office). In a couple of those courses (in marketing boot camp), I graduated at the top of my class (which included classmates with MBA and various 4-year degrees and even one lawyer). Note: Many classmates who were MBA graduates said this "boot camp" was like a fast-paced version of an MBA program.

§     When added up, a full 20% of my IBM career (almost 2 years) was spent in classes.

1977–1978                    Control Data Institute                      Arlington, VA

In the Computer Technology course, we studied how to diagnose and fix problems in computer hardware. Other main topics included Principles of Electronics, Boolean Algebra and Hexadecimal Programming.

§     Graduated – Number One in my class with a 98.9% GPA (on 100 curve)

§     Certificate for a Perfect Attendance Record

1974–1977                    U.S. Marine Corps                      Washington, D.C.

Now, you may think it odd to have this on my Education Page. However, I personally found the U.S.M.C. to be a vast education in many non-tangible areas. It's hard to describe it accurately, but valuable nonetheless. Some of my experiences / achievements include:

§     Graduated – Squad Leader (and had held that position throughout most of boot camp).

§     Promoted to E-5 (Sergeant) within a short 3-year career.

§     Served on the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Team in Marine Barracks, 8th & I, Washington, D.C. Performed in Washington, D.C. and around the country in various engagements.

§     Held a Top Secret Security Clearance (with White House Access).

1971–1974                    Shawnee Mission North H.S.    Overland Park, KS

§     NJROTC Company Commander, Football

§     Graduated -- High School Diploma – May 1974