My introduction to Computer Science came by way of the Worcester Public Schools PEAK program (Providing Enrichment for Able Kids). Through this program, in the fifth grade, I took a course in BASIC programming at Clark University; I was 9 years old. Although intimidated by the thought of dealing with these 'thinking machines', I was soon able to become the master of the machine. I was overtaken with a desire (one that is still strong) to learn more about computers from both the hardware and software perspectives.

Because the public schools didn't offer any computer classes for 5th or 6th graders (alas even the PEAK program didn't expand beyond that introductory class), my parents enrolled me in a private Saturday school run by Dr.Anthony DeCesare called GATE (Gifted And Talented Education). The GATE school has since evolved into what is now The Oxford Academy. There I studied, among other things, Basic Electronics.

At Burncoat Junior High School, only very basic computer classes were taught. My knowledge at the time had already surpassed the scope of these classes and I was assigned as a teacher's assistant. I was selected as a participant in Project 50/50, a computer education summer camp co-sponsored by D.E.C. and the public school system. I attended during the summer between 7th and 8th grades. Upon graduation from B.J.H.S., I received an "Award of Honor for "Outstanding Achievement" in computers.

I come from a family of eight boys. I am the oldest. On December 1, 1986 my family's house caught fire and most of our belongings were destroyed. Fortunately, no one was hurt. My family, which has always been close, was split up for quite a while. At this time I had a long discussion with both of my parents. Because of my boredom with the curriculum at Burncoat Senior High School, it was decided that I be allowed to drop out of high school, help out with the salvage work at our family home, and later obtain a G.E.D. before going to college. Things, fortunately, didn't work out this way. Several calls from the B.S.H.S. guidance office eventually led to my being enrolled for courses at Quinsigamond Community College, and obtaining college and high school credits for them. I was so enthused with this set-up that I even took Q.C.C. courses during both summer sessions between my junior and senior high school years.

At the beginning of my senior year those arrangements were modified. I was allowed to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute under Special Student status. My grades at W.P.I. were accepted by B.S.H.S..

Unfortunately, my grades at that time do not accurately reflect my abilities as a student. My family was still split up, I had to commute between W.P.I. and B.S.H.S. because there were still a few classes I had to take at the high school, and due to a lack of maturity I did spend too much time goofing off with some close friends who attended W.P.I. when I should have been studying. (I've matured since then.) However, I still graduated from B.S.H.S. in the Scholars program, their highest level course of study.

At Burncoat Senior High School I was a member of the short lived varsity programming squad. Our four member team placed 1st in the Worcester County Programming Competitions of 1987 & 1988 hosted at Bartlett High School in Webster, MA. We placed within the top five at the 1988 North Eastern Regional Championship.

So, I launched my college career as a Junior in high school. After graduating high school, I took a break from my studies. In march of 1989 I began working for the Worcester County Sheriff's Department as a full time Correction Officer and was eventually promoted to the rank of Sergeant. After a short time at the job I enrolled again at Q.C.C. and received my Associate in Science degree for Computer Information Systems in May of 1992. While attending Q.C.C. I made the Dean's List in both the Fall of 1990 and the Spring of 1991. I then enrolled in the computer science program at Worcester State College. I received my Bachelor in Science degree in May of 1994, earning two (see here and here) Certificates of Honor along the way.

In summary, over the last 20+ years I’ve always been driven to learn more about and to work on computers. My knowledge and skills are broad and deep in this field. Unfortunately, my “Job History” does not accurately reflect my “Work Experience” since, in reality, I’ve ALWAYS worked on computer systems.