I am orignially from Johnson City, Tennessee.  My educational background includes a B.S. from Milligan College in Tennessee.  I also hold a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law and an M.B.A. from Stetson University.  While in law school, I studied at Concordia University in Estonia and traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia; Stockholm, Sweden; Finland and Amsterdam.  

I am a circuit court judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which includes Pinellas and Pasco Counties.  Prior to being elected, I was in private practice in Clearwater, where I practiced primarily Family Law and Criminal defense.  Prior to private practice, I was an Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas County. 

I am on the Board of Directors for Leadership Pinellas and Past President of the Clearwater Bar Association. I am a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scounts of America. 

I am married to a Pinellas County lieutenant and I am an avid cat lover.  We have a 6 year old son and live in Palm Harbor.  My interests include coaching my son's Little League baseball team and participating inmartial arts and Krav Maga training.  I hold a Black Belt in martial arts and taught women's self defense.  I have also competed with martial arts internationally in Argentina.