Some background information about me may be helpful. I am originally from the Chicago area having been born January 1, 1951, and raised in Harvey, Illinois. I graduated from Thornton Township High School in 1969 and from Northern Illinois University in 1973 with a degree in biology. After a too long career in the insurance industry (14 yrs), I began a career in law enforcement, first with the Bridgeview, Illinois police department and now with the Collier County Sheriff's Office in Southwest Florida.