• 1965 – Born in Kokomo on April 14

• 1983 – Graduated from Haworth High School

• 1989 to present – Hired at Haynes International in March 1989

• 1990 – Elected Center Township Trustee Board Member. Legislative branch of Trustees office, responsible for budgets, setting policies, and working with state regulators

• 1992-94 – Attended Indiana University at Kokomo

• 1994 – Elected Union Committeeman, United Steelworkers Local #2958

• 1994 – Re-elected to Township Board, serving as President in 1995, 1996, and 1997

• 1996 – Elected Recording Secretary, United Steelworkers Local #2958

• 1997 – Elected President, United Steelworkers Local #2958, representing 1200 members under 11 different labor contracts

• 1998 – Re-elected to Center Township Board

• 2000 – In May, won Democratic Primary race for U.S. Congress, 5th district (covering 20 counties), and won the City of Kokomo in the general election against a 4-term incumbent by almost 850 votes--despite being outspent by over a quarter of a million dollars

• 2001 – Elected to serve as City Councilman At-Large for the City of Kokomo. City Council serves as the legislative branch of the city government, responsible for budgets, confirmation of appointments, and city planning.

• 2002 – Elected Recording Secretary, United Steelworkers #2958

• 2002 – Elected by the City Council to be their representative on the Kokomo Planning Commission

• 2002 – Chief spokesperson for the City Council for contract negotiations with F.O.P. and A.F.S.C.M.E.

• 2002 – Appointed to serve on the Redevelopment Commission for the City

• 2003 – Elected by fellow Councilmen to serve as representative to the City Planning Commission

• 2003 – Elected 2nd term as President, United Steelworkers Local #2958

• 2003 – Elected to City Council At-Large as the top vote-getter in the entire election

• 2004 – Appointed to the Policy Board of Kokomo/Howard County Government Coordinating Council

• 2004 – Appointed to serve on the Redevelopment Commission and was the only Democrat appointed to chair any council committees—the Resolution Committee

• 2005 – Elected Vice-President of the Kokomo City Council

• 2005 – Served as Chairman of the Council Finance Committee

• 2005 – Chief spokesperson for the City Council for contract negotiations with the F.O.P. and Firefighters Union

• 2006 – Appointed to serve on the Redevelopment Commission and was appointed to chair the Resolution Committee

• 2007 – Appointed to be the Council Representative on the Human Rights Committee