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 committeesthe 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